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The Cradle of Humankind

The home of our ancestors​

Introduction to the Cradle of Humankind

The Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and surrounding areas, collectively known as the Cradle of Humankind, was designated a World Heritage Site (WHS) on December 2, 1999, in Morocco. It was recognised for its outstanding universal value due to remarkable palaeo-anthropological and archaeological findings across twelve sites. Alongside Robben Island and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, it stands as one of South Africa’s most significant heritage sites.

What is a World Heritage Site?

A World Heritage Site is recognised for its exceptional universal value, warranting protection from social, economic, and natural threats. The World Heritage Convention, a UNESCO-established body, selects and inscribes these sites onto the World Heritage list. This status ensures their preservation for future generations, safeguarding them from damage due to environmental or human impact.

Benefits of Being a
World Heritage Site

World Heritage Site status brings substantial environmental and conservation benefits to the Cradle of Humankind:

  • Global Significance: This status highlights the unique biodiversity and geological features, securing greater protection and conservation.
  • Support for Conservation: It grants access to international expertise and resources for ecological preservation, crucial for maintaining ecosystems and protecting endangered species.
  • Sustainable Tourism: The designation promotes sustainable tourism, balancing public interest with environmental protection.
  • Funding and Assistance: The World Heritage Fund offers financial and technical aid, supporting conservation techniques, environmental education, and emergency interventions. This support aligns the Cradle of Humankind with sites like the Amazon Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, renowned for biodiversity preservation.

Scientific Discoveries
in the Cradle of Humankind

The Cradle of Humankind has yielded pivotal paleo-anthropological discoveries, advancing knowledge of human evolution:

  • Significant Fossils: The site contains over 1,000 hominid fossils, including Australopithecus africanus “Mrs. Ples” and Australopithecus sediba “Karabo.”
  • New Species: The Rising Star Cave system revealed Homo naledi, adding complexity to human ancestry theories.
  • Ecological Insights: Fossils from diverse animal species also reflect the ancient environmental conditions that early humans encountered.

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Environment is instrumental in preserving this site, fostering scientific research, and promoting community engagement alongside sustainable tourism. The Cradle of Humankind remains central to ongoing studies on human origins, contributing vital knowledge to the understanding of early human history.

Why the Cradle of Humankind?

The Cradle of Humankind is unique in that since 1947, there have been great scientific discoveries, which have been a breakthrough in the search for the origins of humankind. These include a 3,3 million year old ancestor of humankind, stone tools dating back some 2 million years and the world’s most perfect pre-human skull ever found- affectionately known as Mrs Ples.

There are 15 explored sites within the Cradle of Humankind area:

  • Sterkfontein Caves
  • Swartkrans
  • Kromdraai
  • Gondolin
  • Plovers Lake
  • Wondercave
  • Drimolen
  • Haasgat
  • Coopers B
  • Gladysvale
  • Minaars
  • Bolts Farm
  • Makapans Valley
  • Taung fossil site
  • Rising Star Cave

Overview of the Cradle of Humankind

The Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and nearby areas, known as the Cradle of Humankind, were declared a World Heritage Site (WHS) on December 2, 1999, alongside Robben Island and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. This distinction recognises the Cradle of Humankind’s significant universal value, due to extraordinary palaeo-anthropological and archaeological findings across twelve sites.

Key Discoveries in the Cradle of Humankind

  • Sterkfontein
    Site of the famous Australopithecus africanus skull known as “Mrs. Ples,” estimated to be between 3.4 and 3.7 million years old, offering a crucial understanding of early hominin development.

  • Bolt’s Farm
    Known for microfauna fossils over 4.5 million years old, which provide insights into ancient environmental conditions.

  • Swartkrans
    Renowned for evidence of the earliest known deliberate use of fire by hominins, dating back approximately 1.3 million years.

  • Coopers B
    Site where a facial specimen of a robust ape-man was found, adding to the fossil record of early hominins.

  • Kromdraai
    Location of the first robust ape-man specimen discovery in 1938, marking a significant find in paleoanthropology.

  • Minnaars
    Identified as a potential site for further hominid fossil discoveries, contributing to ongoing research efforts.

  • Plover’s Lake
    Known for its abundant faunal remains, estimated to be around one million years old, providing evidence of early animal life in the region.

  • Wondercave
    Actively excavated, with continuous fossil discoveries that add to our understanding of early ecosystems.

  • Drimolen
    A newer fossil site where over 30 specimens of robust ape-men have been found, offering a rich fossil trove.

  • Gladysvale
    Contains hominid, faunal, and plant fossils dating up to 3 million years, reflecting ancient life and environmental conditions.

  • Haasgat
    Known for fossils of early forest-dwelling monkeys, estimated to be about 2.8 million years old, shedding light on the biodiversity of early landscapes.

  • Gondolin
    Over 90,000 fossil specimens have been uncovered here since 1979, making it a valuable site for paleontological research.

  • Makapans Valley
    An important site for both archaeological and paleontological studies, though recent findings are limited.

  • Taung
    Famous for the Taung Child, an Australopithecus africanus whose skull analysis recently suggested that brain development in this species was not as human-like as once believed.

  • Rising Star Cave
    The discovery site of Homo naledi, a species noted for its mix of human and primitive features. Recent evidence suggests a possible controlled use of fire in this cave system, furthering the understanding of early human behavior.

This array of sites in the Cradle of Humankind continues to yield invaluable fossils, deepening insights into the evolution of early humans and the environmental conditions they encountered.

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