Forty five minutes from Johannesburg is the Sterkfontein Valley, better known as the Cradle of Humankind. It is aptly named because this 47 000 World Heritage Site is the richest hominid area on earth.
World Heritage Site 
Among the palaeontological finds at the Cradle of Humankind are the apeman skull, nicknamed Mrs Ples, which was found by Dr Robert Broom in 1947; and the 3,5 million-year-old Australopithecus, dubbed Little Big Foot, found by Dr Ron Clarke, Nkwane Molefe and Stephen Motsumi in the Silberberg Grotto of the Sterkfontein Caves in 1990s. These discoveries led to this fossil hominid site being declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.
‘The area contains an exceptionally large and scientifically significant group of sites, which throw light on the earliest ancestors of humankind,’ stated the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). ‘They constitute a vast reserve of scientific information, the potential of which is enormous.’
Walking Apes
As the UNESCO statement suggests, there is much more to the Sterkfontein Valley than Mrs Ples and Little Big Foot, though they are the stars.
Across this scenic landscape there are a band of important anthropological sites including Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, Coopers B and Wonder Cave which contain the remains of hominids (human and pre-human, or upright walking apes) from as far back as 4 million years ago.
The First Inhabitants
The first inhabitants of the Cradle included the Australopithecus Africanus from about 4,2 million years ago. It is generally believed that these hominids, or close relatives, were the original human ancestors.
Paranthropus robustus is another hominid whose fossilised remains have been found, but it is generally considered to be a branch of the hominid family tree that became extinct, and not a very close relative of our ancestors
The Sterkfontein Caves
Fossil remains are not the only thing which marks this series of caves as important.
At a depth of 40 metres is an underground lake. Local African tribes regard it with awe, believing that the water has medicinal properties that can cure a number of ailments including blindness. The local tribesmen hold ceremonies at the edge of the lake, during which water is carried away for treatment of the sick.
Also unique is the underground lake of crystal clear water; the only known one of its kind in South Africa.
Other areas of interest
Kromdraai
The very first specimen of Paranthropus robustus was found at Kromdraai in 1938. Since then many other hominid and animal specimens and stone tools have been excavated. Remarkably, three different species of sabre-toothed cats have been unearthed here.
Plover’s Lake
The site has yielded abundant fauna remains including baboon crania, antelope, extinct zebra and a leopard lair. This site has also produced many stone implements that date back to the Middle Stone Age.
Wonder Cave
Spectacular cave formations can be seen in the enormous cave chamber believed to be 2,2 million years old. It has a relatively young talus cone (a few thousand years old), which contains the remains of rodents, frogs, lizards and birds.
Motsetse
A newly discovered site which has already given up an interesting species of sabre-toothed cat.
Haasgat
Haasgat, set along the upper ridges of the Witwatersrandspruit, is one of the most beautiful cave sites in South Africa. It has yielded a variety of monkeys, notably a fairly large Colobus monkey.
Gondolin
This fossil rich site is more than a million years old. Among the discoveries here are two hominid teeth; thought to be from a Paranthropus robustus.
Visiting Sterkfontein
Sterkfontein and Wonder Cave are open to the public every day of the year except Christmas and Easter. Both are suitable for children, but not easily accessible for the elderly or disabled.
There is a range of educational facilities at Maropeng, at the heart of which is the circular Tumulus; a grassed-over state of the art visitor’s centre designed to look like an ancient burial mound. It symbolises the voyage of mankind from yesteryear into an uncertain future. The circle comes to an end with gold grass at the entrance being transformed into modern silver structural designs.
Also in the complex are an underground exhibition centre, conference facilities,hotel, market and a variety of food outlets.
Cradle Activities
The Cradle of Humankind is on the Crocodile River Ramble. Here in the beautiful Magaliesburg are crafters and artists, galleries, furniture manufacturers, antique dealers, adventure activities, health & beauty spas, pubs, tea gardens, restaurants and a range of accommodation options from intimate bed and breakfast establishments to luxurious country hotels.
It is a far cry from the dawn of man.
Image of Sterkfontein Cave Entrance © Paul Myburgh, Picturenet, GDACE
Image of Sterkfontein Museum © Maropeng Leisure à Africa
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