In 1930's and 1940's Dr. Robert Broom and his associates made a number of significant anthropological discoveries in the limestone quarries of Sterkfontein.

A nearly complete fossilised skull of an Australopithecus africanus women, dubbed 'Mrs. Ples', was unearthed by John Robinson in 1947. The original fossil of 'Mrs. Ples', now is kept at the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria. In 1976 a 2 million year old fossil skull of Homo habilis was also discovered. in addition to the fossils many stone tools which are also found in this area, which are oldest cultural remains ever found in Southern Africa.

The caves were formed 20 to 30 million years ago when dolomite deposits 50-60m below the surface were dissolved away by acidic rainwater trickling down through the ground. The Elephant Chamber and the Milner Hall are adorned with beautiful stalactites hanging down from the ceiling, sometimes joining the stalagmites below them.

Several other important hominid fossil sites have been found nearby at Swartkrans and Gladysvale. This area is now called the ""Cradle of Humankind"" and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site"".

Guided tours are conducted every hour.


DIRECTIONS TO STERKFONTEIN CAVES:
- near the N14 and R563, north of Krugersdorp