Sterkfontein

Sterkfontein is a cave system with several limestone chambers and underground lakes in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The passages extend through different geological layers and form a branching network inside the rock.

Researchers discovered the first complete adult Australopithecus skull here in 1936, bringing new insights into human evolution. The site has since yielded evidence of early hominid development from about three million years ago.

The Afrikaans name translates to "strong spring", referring to the water source early settlers found flowing from the rock. Today researchers and visitors walk the same passages where ancient hominids once sheltered millions of years before modern humans existed.

Guided tours through the cave system run every thirty minutes and provide access to the lit chambers and underground areas. The Broom Museum next to the entrance displays fossils and finds from the excavations.

The cave holds more than five hundred hominid fossils, including the well-known specimen Mrs Ples. One of the largest chambers, called the Hall of Elephants, reaches a height of about 23 meters (75 feet) and a width of about 91 meters (300 feet).

Location: Gauteng

Elevation above the sea: 1,481 m

Part of: Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/915

GPS coordinates: -26.01566,27.73456

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25