News

Mohau Centre visits Maropeng

Bianca Bothma

Maropeng is very proud that in the past five years we have welcomed more than 500 000 people to the Cradle of Humankind, who have come to learn about evolution and the history of the Earth.

In December 2010, another 45 children from the Mohau Centre, a children’s home in Atteridgeville, visited as part of the Maropeng Education Programme supported by the Cradle of Humankind Trust.

Fun learning at Hominid House in 2011 – photo essay

January 2011 marks the beginning of the academic year for South African schools. What better way to get learners fired up about history, heritage and the origins of humankind than to visit Maropeng?

A passion for fossils – Phindi Gumbi

Miliswa Sitshwele

Working in a place that deals with fossils or has fossils has always been Phindi Gumbi’s dream. Her uncle worked at the Sterkfontein Caves when she was a child, and would often take her there on weekends. Working in the Cradle of Humankind after graduating from high school was, as such, a natural choice.

The world’s oldest fossilised dinosaur eggs on display at Maropeng

Tara Turkington

Some of the most exciting items on display at Maropeng at the moment are the world’s oldest fossilised dinosaur eggs, which are also the oldest known evidence of parental care. The Massospondylus eggs, 195-million years old, can be clearly seen with the aid of a magnifying glass and are part of the Treasures of our Past exhibition currently on display.

Maropeng Boutique Hotel holiday special – photo essay

Make the most of the upcoming weekend by spoiling a loved one at the Maropeng Boutique Hotel.

Enjoy a luxurious getaway at the Cradle of Humankind for only R940 per person, per night sharing, including dinner, bed and breakfast. This special is available for adults only and is running until January 9, 2011.

Earliest dinosaur discoveries in South Africa made in 1845

Tara Turkington

South Africa has a rich heritage of fossils ranging from dinosaur eggs to plant fossils, as well as earliest evidence of modern humans, Homo sapiens. The earliest documented dinosaur fossil discovery in South Africa was in 1845.

At Maropeng you can learn about this rich heritage by visiting the exhibition, viewing fossils on display or attending one of our fun events, such as the Cooper’s Cave picnics.

Pre-dinosaur fossil that proved continental drift theory at Maropeng

Bianca Bothma

The skull of Lystrosaurus primitivus, a mammal-like reptile, which lived about 200-million years ago, is currently on display at Maropeng as part of the Treasures of our Past fossil display.

New discovery in Israel challenges view of human origins

Bianca Bothma

For many years, conventional science has believed that humankind originated in Africa. The oldest known fossils of Homo sapiens until now have been found in Ethiopia and South Africa, and suggest that early modern humans emerged between about 100 000 and 200 000 years ago.

New playground at Maropeng – photo essay

More fun has been added to the Cradle of Humankind with the installation of new playground equipment at Maropeng. The installation is part of a larger enhancement programme which commenced at the beginning of December.

South Africa: A land rich in fossils

By Bianca Bothma

From a palaeontological perspective South Africa is one of the most exciting countries to work in, argued Professor Bruce Rubidge, director of the Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, at the opening of a new fossil display at the Maropeng Visitor Centre recently.