Cradle of Humankind

The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Gauteng province of South Africa, approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Johannesburg. It is one of the world’s most significant archaeological and paleontological sites, renowned for the vast number of ancient fossilized remains that were found here, some dating back millions of years. These fossils have provided crucial insights into the evolution of humans and our ancient ancestors and contributed to the identification of several hominid species, including Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus robustus, and Homo naledi.

There are two key sights in the Cradle of Humankind area – The Maropeng Visitor Center and the Sterkfontein Caves:
1. The Maropeng Visitor Center serves as the gateway to the Cradle of Humankind and provides visitors with an informative and interactive experience, with a series of exhibits about the development of humans over the past few million years. These exhibits take visitors on a journey through time, from the formation of the planet, to the birth of humankind, and our evolution into the current species of homo sapiens. There are also a series of statues of South African freedom fighters in an exhibit called the “Long Walk to Freedom” outside the Maropeng Visitor Center.
2. The Sterkfontein Caves, owned by the University of the Witwaterstrand, is the location where many famous fossils have been excavated including “Mrs. Ples,” a 2.3 million year old Australopithecus Africanus fossil found by Robert Broom and John T. Robinson in 1947, and “Little Foot,” an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton, dating back more than 3 million years. Visitors can take a tour of the museum and the caves to see how fossils are discovered, excavated, studied and dated.

Visiting the Cradle of Humankind offers a unique opportunity to connect with our ancient past and learn about the fascinating journey of human evolution. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in paleontology, archaeology, and the history of our species.

Cradle of Humankind

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