Located in the rolling grasslands of Gauteng, only a short drive from Johannesburg, is one of the world’s most important archaeological gems – the Cradle of Humankind. This is a place where one can meet with our very distant ancestors and a place not to be missed for anyone interested in the Human Story. The only way to enjoy and understand this ancient wonder is to embark on a Cradle of Humankind Tour and Pure Diamond Tours offers the best.
A Cradle of Humankind Tour leads you to a place where the history of humankind is carved into stone. More than a thousand fossils of hominids and several species of ancient humans have been discovered here, covering a time span of approximately 3 million years – all of which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sterkfontein Caves were where the most famous of these fossils were found, such as ‘Mrs. Ples’. This trip isn’t merely a tour of old bones; it’s an immersive journey into paleoanthropology that uncovers the origins of human life; it is a grand tour of the dawn of humanity.
Often the best part of a Cradle of Humankind Tour is exploring the Sterkfontein Caves. As you venture down through the chill and dimness of the cave you are following in the footsteps of our earliest ancestors. It is here that scientists revealed some advance that revolutionized the knowledge of human evolution. The guided tour gives imminent on how these fossils were formed and discovered and makes the distant past feel extraordinarily concrete. Being in the same location where the evolutionary story of our species was revealed, is humbling.
It is further enhanced by a visit to the Maropeng Visitor Centre. It is the official visitors’ centre whose name translates to Setswana as “returning to the place of origin”. Here, you will experience a world-class interactive museum that will take you on a journey from the beginning of the universe 14 billion years ago to today and then beyond! All exhibits are educational and age appropriate, and tell the story of our shared heritage in an exciting way with cutting edge technology. A place in which to meditate on our origins and our destination.
Pure Diamond Tours are great at ensuring that your Cradle of Humankind Tour is a smooth and educational one and in most cases are followed by a visit to the vibrant Lesedi Cultural Village. It’s possible to trace the long history of mankind – and then look at the rich cultural heritage that has emerged in modern South Africa. These are places where a day of exploration is in itself a fascinating and enlightening experience in an understanding of the long and complex life of man on earth.