FIELD TRIP
Palaeoanthropology, science, and interpretation in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng
City: Pretoria
Tour capacity: 25 people
Caves and fossil sites are a potential health and safety risk. Participants will be required to sign an indemnity. Please advise regarding any mobility challenges or special needs.
This field trip is fully booked.
A field trip to the Cradle of Humankind
This tour is designed to provide a variety of insights into the astonishing fossil evidence which has been unearthed in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, and shows how this evidence is analysed, interpreted and presented to the public.
The tour will be hosted by a veteran member of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site Management Authority and will include a few hours with a leading palaeoanthropologist, first hand views of a live fossil site and a visit to Maropeng – the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
In the past two decades South Africa has produced two new hominin species and more than its share of surprises, controversies and mind-blowing specimens in this field.
Itinerary
08:00 Pick up at the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC)
09:30 Arrive at the Cradle Boutique Hotel
09:30 Refreshments and briefing
10:00 Tour of the Malapa Museum
11:00 Transfer to cave
12:00 Briefing by scientist at the cave
12:30 Tour of fossil site and facilities
13:30 Transfer to Maropeng
14:00 Lunch at Maropeng with welcome
15:00 Tour of the Tumulus Building Interpretation Centre
16:00 Transfer to the CSIR ICC
17:30 Drop off at the CSIR ICC