Why go
These places give a reason to look beyond colonial timelines. Fossils near Sterkfontein and Kromdraai concern early hominins, while discoveries at Klasies River Caves and engraved material from Blombos relate to later human life and expression. Their dates and interpretations deserve careful reading on site.
The full story
South Africa’s deep past appears in several kinds of evidence. Fossil finds at Sterkfontein and Kromdraai have contributed to the study of early hominins, including Australopithecus and Paranthropus. Klasies River Caves hold evidence associated with Middle Stone Age humans. At Blombos Cave, engraved pieces have prompted discussion about symbolic expression. These are separate discoveries, spread across different places and periods, rather than one simple account of human origins. Fossil bones, stone tools and engraved markings let researchers study bodies, behaviour and environments across very different periods. Their meaning depends on where they were found, how they were dated and how carefully each claim is tested. If you visit an interpretation centre, compare the original find location with the displays that explain how each conclusion was reached.