The Sterkfontein Valley, the Cradle of Humankind, is a short drive from Johannesburg in Gauteng.
World Heritage Site
Among the palaeontological finds at the Cradle of Humankind are the apeman skull,
| | |
| |  The Tumulus - built like an ancient burial mound | |
| | |
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.’
Maropeng
There is a range of educational facilities at the 47 000 hectare Cradle site. It is best to begin at Maropeng, Tswana for ‘return to your origins’.
At the heart of Maropeng 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.
The Diversity Ramp
From the Tumulus one walks down the Diversity Ramp, which takes visitors to a man-made lake and a boat ride to the dawn of time.
| | |
| |  Exciting interactive displays make Maropeng a “must visit” attraction | |
| | |
Here you will explore the four basic elements that make up our world: water, air, fire and earth. You will come face to face with a storm, a waterfall and exploding volcanoes. Then audiovisual presentations on the birth of our planet; a sensory visit to the world of the now extinct dodo, quagga and woolly mammoth; and a look at what is to come through DNA.
‘Before us lie our past and our future,’ says centre educationist Yvonne Molefe. ‘This is extremely relevant because we can’t know where we are headed if we do not appreciate where we came from.’
The Sustainability Wall
The exhibits at Maropeng are extraordinary. Fossils hang from the ceiling in clear bubble capsules; the interactive exhibitions that show our past are on futuristic spaceship like structures; and the area that displays unique human characteristics, such as the development of language and bipedalism (being able to walk upright), are presented on raised ‘donut’ surfaces.
The centre shows how caves were formed and the various stages of human evolution. An apt question graffitied on the Sustainability Wall asks: ‘Will we destroy ourselves?’
The Sterkfontein Caves
Ten minutes from Maropeng are the Sterkfontein Caves and the permanent hominid exhibit.
This is where the famous fossils of Mrs Ples and Little Foot were found. The tour of the caves lasts about an hour, with a documentary of the discovery of Mrs Ples shown on a wide screen television set at the entrance.
The Crocodile River Ramble
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.
So why not take your heritage with a good dose of rest and relaxation.
Links:
Pictures Courtesy & copyright of Maropeng