Cradle of HumankindUNESCOJohannesburgSterkfontein CavesMaropeng
The Cradle of Humankind is one of the world's most important palaeontological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
## Why It Matters
The site covers 47,000 hectares and contains one of the world's richest concentrations of hominid fossils:
- **"Mrs Ples"** — A 2.1 million-year-old skull
- **"Little Foot"** — A 3.67 million-year-old skeleton
- **Homo naledi** — Discovered in 2013 in the Rising Star Cave
## What to Visit
### Maropeng Visitor Centre
- Underground boat ride through time
- Interactive exhibitions on human evolution
- Stunning Tumulus building
### Sterkfontein Caves
- Guided tour into underground caves (120 steps down)
- Past the excavation site where "Mrs Ples" was found
- Underground lake
## Planning Your Visit
- **Location:** 40 minutes from Johannesburg
- **Duration:** 3-5 hours for both attractions
- **Opening hours:** 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
- **Best combined with:** Lesedi Cultural Village, Lion Safari Park
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