South Africa - The Cradle of Human Beings

Do you know where human beings first made their mark on the earth? This question has confused scientists since Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was first presented. The answer to this question may lie in a valley which is 40km south of Johannesburg in South Africa. 

"The Place Where We Once Lived"

In the Tswana language of this region on South Africa, the valley is called Maropeng, which means "The place where we once lived." Scientists have dubbed it The Cradle of Human Kind, because this valley has proven to be one of the richest sources of hominid (human like) fossils in Africa. The valley covers 117,000 acres (47,000 ha) and does not look very much like anyone's idea of the Garden of Paradise. It is stony, wind swept, sun baked, and covered with thorn trees and scrappy brush in places where it isn't just barren.

World Heritage Site

This hominid fossil treasure ground was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The fossils are now a main attraction for visitors to South Africa, and some of the local communities have become world famous for discoveries made in their neighbourhoods. Fossils found at Sterkfontein show that ancestors of humans lived in this area for about three million years. Sterkfontein is the site of more than 40 percent of all African hominid fossil finds to date. Hundreds of hominid fossils and thousands of prehistoric stone tools have been unearthed here. Nearby Swartkrans is the site of the earliest known use of fire, about 13 million years ago.

Three Local Celebrities

Three of the most important hominid fossils ever discovered came from the Cradle of Human Kind. They have been named the "Taung Child", "Mrs. Ples", and "Little Foot." The skeleton dubbed Little Foot is the most complete of the three and, at four million years, is the oldest hominid fossil ever found in South Africa.

Visiting the Cradle

Many of these amazing pre-historic relics can be seen at the Maropeng Visitor Centre, a relatively new attraction that has quickly been recognised as one of the best in South Africa. It features interactive displays and an outdoor amphitheatre that has cultural presentations. Visitors can also enjoy a marketplace and restaurant. The museum is housed in a mound shaped structure called the Tumulus. You approach the Tumulus via a natural bush walkway. When you enter, state-of-the-art technology takes you back to the dawn of time. For young visitors there is a Children's Dig that is a replica of a fossil bed.

Down Into the Caves

Not far from the Maropeng Visitor Centre are the Sterkfontein Caves, famous as the place where the Taung Child, Mrs. Ples, and Little Foot were discovered. Here you can join a tour and go down into the homes of some of the earliest human-like residents of South Africa. An exhibition centre here displays a reconstruction of a cave, and explains geology and the formation of fossils. The only other cave open to the public is the Mammoth Cave. It has an enormous chamber and some spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. You can take the elevator down, or if you are fit and adventurous, you can rappel down. Evening tours allow you to meet the current residents - bats.