3.7Myears agoFossils c. 3.7–1 million years old; key finds 1947–2013 · Sterkfontein

Hominin fossils of the Cradle of Humankind

The entrance area of the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa — Photo: Mike Peel. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Limestone caves north-west of Johannesburg have produced a large share of the world's early hominin fossils, including the 'Mrs Ples' skull found in 1947, the near-complete 'Little Foot' skeleton and the Homo naledi remains discovered in the Rising Star cave in 2013. Together they are central evidence that humanity's ancestors evolved in Africa.

Archaeology
Science & Medicine
Johannesburg & Soweto, South Africa

Sites

Site 1: Sterkfontein CavesGuided descent into the caves where Mrs Ples and Little Foot were found.Map ↗
Site 2: Maropeng visitor centreOfficial exhibition on human origins for the World Heritage Site.Map ↗