The Sterkfontein Caves is located in the Gauteng Province close to the town of Krugersdorp, within a 2 hour drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria. These limestone caves have tremendous value to paleo-anthropologists as an archaeological site still being excavated along with various other archaeological sites within the Cradle of Humankind such as Swartkrans, Kromdraai and the Wonder Caves. The Sterkfontein Caves are now owned and managed by the University of the Witwatersrand whose scientists and students are responsible for the main excavation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Many discoveries have been made over the years, most notably some of the earliest signs of humanity with the homo-fossil Australopithecus skeletons of Mrs Ples, Little Foot and Taung child dating back between 2 million and 3 million years. Animal fossils dating back more than 4 million years and with stone age tools dating back approximately 1 million years have also been found in the caves and surrounding areas.
There have been some improvements on the site which now includes boardwalks and walkways past the caves and excavation sites where the fossils have been discovered, conferencing facilities and a restaurant are also available onsite. There is a visitors centre close to the caves called Maropeng which should definitely be incorporated during your visit to the area.
- Adventure Type:
Caves - Country:
South Africa - Province:
Gauteng - Rating:
4 - Difficulty:
Adventurous - Duration:
1 Hour 30 Minutes