Final answer:
Australopithecus africanus likely didn't collect bones in caves; such assemblages could be from natural deaths of cave-dwelling creatures or possibly deliberate burials, but the 'killer ape' hypothesis is no longer widely supported.
Step-by-step explanation:
Australopithecus africanus and the Killer Ape Hypothesis
If Australopithecus africanus did not collect the bones found in the caves, there are several other explanations as to how these bones might have accumulated. The 'killer ape' hypothesis has been largely discredited over time in favor of more nuanced interpretations of early hominid behavior. One alternative explanation is that other creatures, such as cave-dwelling animals who died natural deaths, could account for some of the bone deposits. This is similar to the preservation seen in cave-dwelling baboons. In other locations, such as the Sima de los Huesos site in Spain, evidence suggests the remains may have been scavenged, though this doesn't rule out the possibility of deliberate burials. The caves themselves may also have been used naturally as traps into which animals inadvertently fell. Ongoing research, particularly on Homo naledi, aims to decipher the mysteries surrounding these bone assemblages and whether they were the result of accidental events or represent some form of ritualistic behavior.