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Sterkfontein Caves Review

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Sterkfontein Caves

Address: Sterkfontein Caves Rd., off R563, Kromdraai
Phone: 011/668-3200
www.maropeng.co.za

Category: Cave
Location: Cradle of Humankind

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Fodor's Review:

The Sterkfontein Caves are the best known of the Cradle's fossil sites. It was here, in 1936, that Dr. Robert Broom discovered the now famous Mrs. Ples, as she is popularly known—a skull of an adult Australopithecus africanus that is more than 2-million years old. The find reinforced the discovery of a skull of an Australopithecus child, the "Taung Skull," by Prof. Raymond Dart in 1924, which was the first hominid ever found. At the time, Dart was ostracized for claiming the skull belonged to an early human ancestor. Scientists in Europe and the United States simply didn't believe that humanity could have originated in Africa. Today, few disagree with this theory. Another important find was the discovery in the 1990s of "Little Foot," a near-complete skeleton of an Australopithecus, embedded in rock deep inside the caves. Guided tours of the excavations and caves, which are spacious and not claustrophobic, last an hour and leave on the half hour. Wear comfortable shoes. Before or after the tour, spend some time in the small but excellent Sterkfontein Visitor Centre, which has exhibits depicting the origins of the earth, life, and humanity. There's a small restaurant that serves pleasant meals on-site (open Wednesday-Sunday).

Cost: R68
Open: Daily 9-5; last tour departs at 4

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