Natural Heritage SiteSterkfontein Caves

out of 100 points
based on 3 reviews
No. 2 out of 2 Natural Heritage Site in Sterkfontein

OverviewReviewsWeb links

Review

out of 100
Overall rating includes:
87
Accessibility
97
"Must See"-Factor

Reviews Natural Heritage Site Sterkfontein Caves

No reviews for Sterkfontein Caves? Be the first to rate Sterkfontein Caves.

External reviews Natural Heritage Site Sterkfontein Caves

Official tourist information

90%

excellent

The author describes the "multimillion rand development at the Cradle of Humankind" approximately 50km from Johannesburg as "offering a richer experience at one of the world's most important archaeological sites" - no longer are visitors required to do a "brief whip-around of a shabby single-room display" and leave. Besides there now being "a guided tour of the cave - which descends 60 metres underground", travellers can also visit the "Sterkfontein Cave restaurant (open for lunch and dinner), souvenir shop, auditorium, and hominid exhibition hall". The latter has "interactive exhibits" and [more]

_Other online-magazine

100%

perfection!

The Sterkfontein Caves have been described as the "anthropological treasure-house of the world" and is said to be "one of the continent's sacred sites" which is situated approximately 50 km from Johannesburg and "12 km north of Krugersdorp". The visual appeal of "this labyrinth of interconnected caverns" which were first discovered in 1896 and have become a World Heritage Site due to subsequent fossil discoveries is discussed. Reference is made to the underground lake and "Hall of Elephants, 23 m (75 ft) high and 91 m (300 ft) long", as well as other chambers which are open to the public at [more]

Guardian.co.uk

100%

excellent

In an "arresting lack of understatement" the world heritage site area around the Sterkfontein Caves has been called the "Cradle of Humankind". This area of 47000 hectares has the "world's longest-running archaeological excavation" (since 1966) and its 12 "major fossil sites" have produced "more than a third of the world's early hominid fossils". The visitor tour starts in a "modern glass centre" and proceeds down a "damp stairway" into the caves. They were discovered because of lime prospecting, and although blasting may have destroyed some fossils, the "blessing" was that they were disco [more]