The secured vault has been designed to accommodate one of the world's largest hominid collections.

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is officially home to the largest fossil vault in Africa.

The new secured vault, which is said to be of world class standards, has been designed to accommodate one of the world's largest hominid collections, including the famous Taung Skull.

The facility was opened at Wits University on Tuesday night.

The Phillip V. Tobias Fossil Primate and Hominid Laboratory has been described as South Africa's gift to the world.

The lab is said to hold the largest collection of humanity's earliest ancestors.

Wits professor Lee Berger said the vault holds more scientific information on how humans evolved and where we come from than any other facility worldwide.

"Right here in this vault, this word class vault, is the majority of their assemblage. It's held in high security because this is all of human heritage."

The tourism industry has welcomed the facility, saying it will boost the number of travellers to South Africa.

Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom said, "It adds to South Africa's already substantial offer of an amazingly rich variety of things to see, to do and experience in one country."

The laboratory is now home to several thousand fossils, including the Taung Skull, discovered by professor in Phillip Tobias.