Drimolen

Drimolen is a cave system with multiple layers of fossil deposits located about 40 kilometers north of Johannesburg within the Cradle of Humankind region. The site contains the remains of different early human species that accumulated in the caves over many thousands of years.

The site was discovered in 1992 and systematically excavated over the following decades, uncovering important skulls and bones that reveal information about early human species. These discoveries have significantly shaped our understanding of human development in Africa.

The site brings together researchers from around the world who collaborate on fossil analysis and share their findings with each other. Visitors can observe how international teams work in the caves and understand why this place matters for learning about human origins.

The site is accessible to visitors but typically requires advance arrangements with the research facilities on site. Guided tours offer the best way to understand the excavations and their scientific importance.

The caves have a special quality: they preserve fossils in different layers that act like pages in a book, telling the story across millions of years. This allows scientists to track changes in early human species over long periods of time.

Location: Gauteng

Part of: Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs

GPS coordinates: -25.96889,27.75583

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44