Archaeological Sites in and near Cape Town

Peers´ Cave

This easily accessible cave achieved fame as the home of Fish Hoek Man who, according to anthropologists, would have inhabited the area around 12 000 years ago. Sea levels were much higher then, and Peers Cave was formed by wave action. ... more

South Africa has been called the “Cradle of Humankind” and the country's archaeological sites rank among the most scientifically and historically important in the world. Archaeologists believe this is where modern humans originated, and there are several places where visitors can get an in depth look at this fascinating and ancient part of our history.

It is the “Cradle of Humankind” World Heritage Site north of Johannesburg in the Magaliesburg that has attracted the most attention. The Sterkfontein caves is the place where “Mrs. Ples”, an almost complete cranium of an Austrolopithecus Africanus, was found in 1947. Since then, many more fossils have been found and the entire Sterkfontein Valley has been declared a protected area. Visitors are allowed access to the main cave where there are displays and tours.

Another Austrolopithecus Africanus skull was found in the Northwest Province in 1924 near the town of Taung. Now known as the Taung child, it is unique as it is one of the few skeletons in the world found on its own. The location remains a research area, but visitors are welcome.

The Mapengubwe National Park near Musina on the very northern border with Zimbabwe has been declared a World Heritage Site due to the multitude of finds relating to the cultural development of peoples in the area over the last 2000 years. There are also several sites of importance in the northern territory of the Kruger National Park and tours are run out of the park's camps.