Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves

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Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves
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Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves +27 (0)14 577 9000
Maropeng Hotel +27 (0)14 577 9100
Email info@maropeng.co.za

Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves
Official Visitor Centres for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
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Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves
Official Visitor Centres for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
Buy Tickets

Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves +27 (0)14 577 9000
Maropeng Hotel +27 (0)14 577 9100
Email info@maropeng.co.za

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  3. Maropeng Visitor Centre
  4. The beginning of the world

The beginning of the world

Sunrise 1756274 1920
The universe was formed about 14-billion years ago. The Earth is about 4.6-billion years old. Life first emerged about 3.8-billion years ago. Our journey begins in South Africa, where fossils of some of the earliest known life forms on Earth have been found. Click on the sections below to learn more.
World 1303628 1920

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

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The Cradle’s evolving landscape

Paranthropus Robustus

Fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind

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The formation of the Earth’s continents

Elephant 84186 1920

The development of life on Earth

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Introduction to DNA

Charles Darwin 62967 960 720

Introduction to evolution

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Extinction

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What are fossils?

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How limestone caves are formed

Maropeng Visitor Centre

  • Maropeng Visitor Centre Exhibition guide
    • The beginning of the world
      • The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
      • The Cradle's evolving landscape
      • Fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind
      • The formation of the Earth’s continents
      • The development of life on Earth
      • Introduction to DNA
      • Introduction to evolution
      • Extinction
      • What are fossils?
      • How limestone caves are formed
    • Pathway to Humanity
    • What makes us human?
    • Sustainability
    • Almost Human: The Homo naledi exhibition
  • Restaurants
Please note: Tickets must be booked online.
Visit South Africa's official Covid-19 resource portal
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