Who are we? Where do we come from? These are philosophical questions which have undoubtedly been pondered by all human beings for all ages. Well although we may never know the reason for our existence, geographically speaking scientist are able to tell us, that where we come from may be an easier problem to solve. Believing the theory of evolution, paleonlogist say that the fossils of the oldest ancestor of the human species has been found in Africa, Southern Africa to be exact in the Cradle of humankind. In this article we will be briefly looking into what draws people to this region year after year.
The Cradle of humankind is a piece of land 183 sq miles in size and lays 50 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg. This is the region from which humans are thought to have evolved and has become an UNESCO world heritage site.
The Cradle of humankind is home to the fossil, Australopithecus Africanus also known as Mrs. Ples . Mrs Ples was found in the Sterkfontein area of the Cradle of humankind, and was discovered by a Dr. Robert Bloom and John. T Robertson in 1947. More hominid fossils have been found in this region than in any other part of the world, and each find reveals more about our ancestral heritage. An earlier find at The Cradle of humankind, has been that of a juvenile Australopithecus Africanus skull. Although Mrs. Ples may not be the oldest fossil to be found, it is the most complete specimen found to date. Some of the oldest fossils date back to 3.5 million years ago.
Those interested in the sciences of anthropology, paleontology, archaeology, and geology etc, are drawn to this area to get a closer look at the a critical pieces of human ancestral history. The amount of prehistoric finds make it the perfect place for one to get a closer and in depth look at our human evolution. You do not need to be an expert in the field to appreciate a holiday in the region, in fact many who go as tourists, are simply normal folk who have an interest in the subject of human history. Doing a tour of this region gives one a good look into the prehistoric cultures, and how they lived and may even hint at some of our own modern behaviours.
The Cradle of humankind, allows the visitor to discover and experience another part of Africa, which is other than just the natural beauty of the fauna and flora, but also a look into the past. Many activities and tours are done in the region, ranging from hot air balloon rides over the sites, and underground boat rides taking people back 3 million years.
The Cradle is more than just a holiday, it is an adventure into the past.
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