{"id":24602,"date":"2015-11-23T12:01:01","date_gmt":"2015-11-23T12:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/?p=24602"},"modified":"2022-09-19T10:58:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T10:58:02","slug":"cradle-of-humankind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/destinations\/south-africa\/cradle-of-humankind\/","title":{"rendered":"Cradle of Humankind, South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\"Cradle
The Cradle of Humankind is home to oldest hominids in the world.<\/div><\/a>\"Sign
Sign greeting visitors in the lobby of Tumulus Building at Maropeng, near Johannesburg, South Africa<\/div><\/a>\"Original
Original skeleton of the A. sediba holotype MH1, on display at Maropeng, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

How about doing a time travel and going back to an era when earth was younger and so was the history? Let your curious soul trace the journey of humanity, unearth the mysteries of nature, and learn about the evolution of life at the Cradle of Humankind. This archeological site, considered \u201cBirthplace of Modern Humankind,\u201d comprises dolomitic limestone caves bearing fossilized remains of ancient animals, plants and the most significant of all, hominids.<\/p>\n

History<\/span><\/h2>\n

Due to the significant hominid fossils discovered here, the area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. These fossils, dating back as far as 3.5 million years, throw light on human ancestors and their relatives.<\/p>\n

Cradle of Humankind Activities<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sterkfontein Caves \u2013<\/strong> In 1935, a paleontologist Robert Broom found the first ape-man fossils here. This cavern features the most extensive discovery of hominid fossils in Africa. Wonder Cave (around 2.2 billion years old) and stone tools (up to 1.6 million years old), Plovers Lake, Rising Star Cave, and Motsetsi are some of the highlights of this archeological site.<\/p>\n

Cradle of Humankind Museum \u2013<\/strong> Located in the The Maropeng Visitor Centre in the Tumulus building, this state-of-the-art museum showcases the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years via fossils and stone tools. Tourists can visit 2500 sq. m. of exhibition area with an underground boat ride \u2013 that features stages of the creation of our earth. The last boat ride departs at 4PM.<\/p>\n

Cradle Game Reserve \u2013<\/strong> This private nature reserve is home to over 30 mammal species (such as the White Rhino, giraffes, hyenas, leopard, and wildebeests) and 200 bird species. Bush walks, game drives, and paleontological tours can be arranged.<\/p>\n

Outdoor Thrills \u2013<\/strong> Hiking, cycling, and picnicking are among the activities available for nature lovers. Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in river rafting, quad biking, and hot air ballooning.<\/p>\n

Wonder at the underground cave patterns, discover rural African history in Lesedi Cultural Village, go fly-fishing at Kloofzicht Lodge, venture out on the wild safaris in the nature reserves, and horseriding in Shepherd\u2019s Fold Stables are integral to Cradle of Humankind tours<\/p>\n

Nearby Attractions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, The Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeespoort Dam, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, and Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre.<\/p>\n

Cradle of Humankind Location<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Cradle of Humankind is located about 50 km northwest of Johannesburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa.<\/p>\n

Cradle of Humankind Map<\/span><\/h3>\n