Cradle of Humankind
A World Heritage fossil area about 50 kilometres north west of Johannesburg, with dozens of limestone caves that have yielded hominin remains. Sterkfontein produced the skull known as Mrs Ples, and the Maropeng visitor centre explains the story of human origins.
- Where
- Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa
- Grade
- UNESCO heritage
- Worth
- 10 points collected on site, plus 8 for its grade
- Coordinates
- -25.9672, 27.6624
Get the Cradle of Humankind stamp
Open LOQAH when you are at Cradle of Humankind. It checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp is yours: confirmed on site in gold and struck with the date. It goes into your Gauteng volume with your photos and a note.
Near Cradle of Humankind
Rising Star Cave 7.5 km
A deep cave system in the Cradle of Humankind where researchers found the remains of Homo naledi in 2013, reached through a narrow chamber called the Dinaledi. The fossils belong to a small human relative, and the cave is closed to the public.
Sterkfontein Caves 9.0 km
A limestone cave system in the Cradle of Humankind, where the fossil skull of an Australopithecus nicknamed Mrs Ples was found in 1947. Excavations continue to this day, and visitors can walk down into the caves with a guide.
Magaliesberg 18 km
A range of ancient quartzite ridges stretching west of Pretoria, among the oldest mountains on Earth. Gorges, waterfalls, hiking trails and the Hartbeespoort Dam lie along it, and it is a weekend escape for people from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Mandela House 39 km
The small house at 8115 Vilakazi Street in Orlando West where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962. It is now the Nelson Mandela National Museum, with family objects and a street that also once housed Desmond Tutu.
Liliesleaf Farm 40 km
A farm in Rivonia where the African National Congress and its allies planned their struggle in secret in the early 1960s. Police raided it in July 1963 and arrested leaders including Walter Sisulu, leading to the Rivonia Trial. It is now a museum.
Johannesburg Zoo 44 km
A 55 hectare zoo in Johannesburg, which houses about 2,000 animals of 320 species. It lies on the slope of Parkview and has long been one of the city's best known family outings.
Nelson Mandela Bridge 45 km
A cable stayed bridge opened in 2003 that links Braamfontein and Newtown across railway lines in Johannesburg. It is 284 metres long, and its two white masts, one tall and one short, make it a landmark of the city skyline.
Constitution Hill 45 km
A former prison complex in Braamfontein that once held Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and many ordinary people, now home to the Constitutional Court. Visitors can tour the Old Fort, Number Four and the Women's Jail, and see exhibitions on human rights.
More UNESCO World Heritage sites in Gauteng
Questions
Where is Cradle of Humankind?
Cradle of Humankind is in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa. The nearest other LOQAH stamps are Rising Star Cave (7.5 km), Sterkfontein Caves (9.0 km), Magaliesberg (18 km).
How do I get the Cradle of Humankind stamp?
Open LOQAH when you are at Cradle of Humankind and get its stamp. The app checks where you are once, at that moment, and the stamp goes into your Gauteng volume, confirmed on site, with the date.
I have been to Cradle of Humankind before. Can I still have the stamp?
Yes. Add it from Earlier trips in your Gauteng volume, with the date if you know it, or import your Google Timeline and LOQAH matches the places you were.
Collect your first stamp.
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