2. The Cradle of Humankind, declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, is a scientific treasure chest of information of human and cultural evolution. It is an area of outstanding universal value and the fossils that have been found in the area provide strong evidence that humankind originated in Africa.

3. The South African Government had an obligation to ensure that this ha World Heritage Site was accessible to all.
The problem was that there were 13 fossil sites in remote places, most on private land.
The conclusion was that an Interpretation Center was required and this gave rise to the Public Private Partnership between The Gauteng Provincial Government (Capital), The University of Witwatersrand (Intellectual Capital and Sterkfontein Caves) and Maropeng a’Afrika Leisure (Operational expertise).

4. We need to understand that Maropeng and Sterkfontein Tourist attractions are not funded by government and therefore we need to charge entrance fees to sustain the facilities and uphold the business.
As any other business in the area we need to sustain and improve our function as the official visitor centre of the cradle of humankind World Heritage Site.

5. The Maropeng Visitor Centre The Gateway to the Cradle of Humankind

6. THE GATEWAY TO THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND

7. Maropeng
We welcome you to Discover, to Explore, to Imagine, to Celebrate and to Experience the world class facility and exhibition.
It offers an educational experience filled with fun.

9. The Exhibition is focusing on all your senses…
You will hear, see, feel and experience the underground boat ride and interactive exhibition intensely.
We will take you on a journey to the pasts bring you back to the now and give you a glimpse of the future.

10. EXHIBITION

13. Real Fossils? Yes we are hosting real fossils on site.
Currently the Evolution fossil display will be hosted until the end of November.
It is a display not to be missed.
We exchange the fossil display every 3 to 4 months to ensure there is always something new at the visitor attraction

14. “Mrs Ples” Discovered by Dr. Robert Broom 1947 @ Sterkfontein Caves

15. Taung Child was discovered by Prof. Raymond Dart 1924

18. Resource Pack
With the help of a curriculum-linked resource pack, brimming with fascinating and practical educational material such as worksheets and suggested activities, teachers will be able to prepare learners before they visit the Cradle of Humankind, and to give them follow-up assignments afterwards. The pack is carefully integrated with the South African education curriculum, and has been endorsed by the National Department of Education, with a foreword from Minister of Education Naledi Pandor. Learners at any level, studying any learning area and field, will be able to engage with appropriate content in the exhibitions.
While the guides at Maropeng have been trained to use the material and are able to assist when necessary, the resource pack has been specifically designed for teachers to structure their own educational excursion in order to gain the most possible from their experience.
For more information, please contact the Maropeng, on +27 (0) , or

19. Foundation
Intermediate
Senior
FET
Grade R-3
Grade 4-6
Grade 7-9
Grade 10-12

20. Resource Pack Upgrade completed and will be launched in January 2010.
See preview

28. The Sterkfontein Caves
Already a world famous visitor attraction, the Sterkfontein Caves owes
its fame to the two world renowned hominid fossil finds, namely Mrs.
Ples in 1947 and Little Foot in 1997.
The caves are one of 13 excavated fossil sites within the World Heritage
Site.
Since excavations first began hundreds of hominid fossils as well as
bone tools have been found there.
The excavation of Little Foot and other fossils is an ongoing process at
this still active fossil dig

32. It’s humankind’s greatest story and its waiting to be
discovered at the Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng
in the Cradle of Humankind…