Step into the world of early humans

Discover the secrets of early humans at the Wits Sterkfontein Caves

“Africa gave the world humanity; Africa gave the world its first human culture and that is no small feat.” – Emeritus Professor Phillip Tobias

The Wits Sterkfontein Caves have yielded some of the world’s most important hominin fossil discoveries including the iconic “Mrs Ples” (1947) and “Little Foot” (1997) in addition to over 700 hominid specimens dating back 3,67 million years. These discoveries have been crucial to informing the global understanding of human evolution and the origins of humanity.

The limestone caves, formed many millions of years ago, have preserved critical evidence of human relatives as their remains fell into the deep caves through tall, narrow shafts. It consists of a series of underground chambers and passageways with a total mapped cave system of over 2.5 kilometres.

For more than three million years, the remains of hominins and many other animals living on the Cradle of Humankind landscape have accumulated underground in huge deposits, creating a fossil record spanning several million years of human evolution.

The Wits Sterkfontein Caves offer an immersive research and educational experience, bringing visitors closer to the science that has defined the site for nearly 100 years. You will engage with active live science and research, in real time, including:

• Direct interactions with scientists and students conducting research,
• Behind-the-scenes access to fossil preparation laboratories,
• Guided tours of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves with enhanced scientific context,
• Educational programmes focused on human evolution and palaeoanthropology, as well as other scientific disciplines in the Earth Sciences, such as Climate Science and Geosciences, and
• Exhibits showcasing the latest discoveries and research findings.

Story: World renowned Wits Sterkfontein Caves reopen
Video: Inside the Wits Sterkfontein Caves

Itinerary

09:00 Pick up at the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC)
10:00 Arrive at Wits Sterkfontein Caves
10:00 Refreshments and briefing by Dr Job Kibi and other scientists
10:30 Walk to the Wits Sterkfontein Caves and then the Research Hub
13:00 Lunch at the Restaurant on-site
14:00 Explore the Visitor’s Centre
15:00 Transfer to the CSIR ICC
16:00 Drop off at the CSIR ICC