Sterkfontein Caves and the Cradle of Humankind

Essentially, the Cradle of Humankind holds invaluable evidence of the history of human life and evolution, and is one of the most important areas in the world for explaining the roots of humanity. 

This is where some of the earliest ancestors of modern humans lived, and where their remains were found. These discoveries of ancient humans provide evidence of humans at different stages of the evolution process, show us how they lived and what other animals and plants existed at the time.

The most significant of discoveries at the site include Little Foot (Australopithecus prometheus), Mrs. Ples (Australopithecus africanus), Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi. These fossils provide evidence of some of the world’s oldest hominids, and the fossil of Mrs. Ples is the most complete fossil ever found of Australopithecus africanus.

Other fossils include  Parapapio broomi and Parapapio jonesi(two extinct species of early types of monkey) and the fossil of a long-extinct hyena that has since been dated to between 4.2-million and 3.3 million years old. There have also been more than 9,000 early stone tools found in the caves, as well as other evidence of early life.

These discoveries may sound complicated and horribly scientific, but the crux of the matter is truly astonishing – it was here, in the Sterkfontein Caves within the Cradle of Humankind, that some of the earliest humans lived, and it is their remains that provide us with invaluable evidence of evolution. Knowing that you’re in the same space as early hominids who lived millions of years ago is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The Maropeng Centre, about 11 kilometres from the actual caves, serves as the main information centre for both the Sterkfontein Caves and the whole of the Cradle of Humankind. It operates as a kind of museum, and you can choose to tour the centre with a guide or on your own.

The guides are very knowledgeable and can tell you about everything you see and answer any questions you may have. However, if you’d rather take it slow, do all the reading yourself and view the exhibits at your own pace, a self-guided tour may be a better option. Make sure you grab a map at the reception.

The centre consists of four permanent sections:

1. The Beginning of the World

2. Pathway to Humanity

3. What Makes Us Human

4. Sustainability

…and from time to time, they host temporary exhibitions. Often, these guest exhibitions include displays that come from local universities (most often, the University of the Witwatersrand).

Now that you know what to expect from visiting these incredible, informative sites in the Cradle of Humankind, let’s have a look at the practical side of things. Here are the most important things to know before visiting!

• Tickets: You need to purchase admission tickets for the Maropeng Centre. You can do this online or onsite, and each ticket costs R135 for adults and children over six years old. The caves are currently closed.

• Tour time slots: When you book your tickets, you’ll be given a time slot for both the tour of the caves and your tour of the Maropeng Centre. Make sure that you arrive 15 minutes before your allocated time slot.

• What to wear: You can wear anything when you visit the Maropeng Centre, but for the Sterkfontein Caves, make sure you're dressed comfortably. Most importantly, wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking. The caves can be small and narrow in places, so consider this when getting dressed.

• Transport between the Centre and the caves: You have the option of either driving yourself between the two sites or hiring a private shuttle. With regards to the latter, you can make use of tour companies in the area who will be able to organise transport for you – you just need to make a booking in advance.

• Accessibility: Unfortunately, the caves are not accessible for people in wheelchairs, and entrance isn’t recommended for people who suffer from claustrophobia.

• Private Tours: If you like, you can also do private tours of the sites within the Cradle of Humankind with private tour operators and guides. This is a good option if you don't have your own transport and want to visit multiple sites in one day. 

Believe it or not, the Sterkfontein Caves aren’t the only fossil sites in the area – there are a total of 13 fossil sites in the Cradle, including Swartkrans, Kromdraai, Makapan and Taung. Significant discoveries have been made at these sites as well, including more ancient hominids as well as other ancient (and extinct) animals. These sites can be explored (to different extents) by visitors today.

In addition to visiting all these various hominid sites, you can also:

• Check out the Dietmar Wiening Sculpture Gallery.

• Relax at the Glenburn Lodge and Spa.

• Visit the Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary.

• Enjoy an adrenaline rush at the Ama Zwing Zwing Zipline Tour.

• Dine out at the Carnivore Restaurant, the Bushwhackers Pub or Bidon Bistro, all located within the World Heritage Site of the Cradle of Humankind.

• Embark on scenic hiking trails within the Cradle.