Origins Centre

Origins Centre Review

This modern museum is dedicated to exploring human development over the past 100,000 years, and in particular the tradition of rock art—of which southern Africa has the oldest and some of the richest in the world. The center is complementary to Maropeng, which details the past 5 million years or so of human evolution and the history of earth since its formation. The two experiences enhance each other rather than compete. Origins is spacious and elegantly designed, with multimedia displays and photographs catering to a range of tastes, from kids to visiting professors. The shop sells high-quality crafts and hard-to-source books on rock art in southern Africa, and the center's coffee shop, Café Fino, serves good, light meals.