PARTNER CONTENT FOR CAPE TOWN AND THE WESTERN CAPE


PARTNER CONTENT FOR CAPE TOWN AND THE WESTERN CAPE


PARTNER CONTENT FOR CAPE TOWN AND THE WESTERN CAPE


The Cradle of Human Culture WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA


A journey through the Cradle of Human Culture traces the origins and development of human culture over the past 160,000 years — in the process, unravelling our shared ancient history and the very nature of humanity


South Africa is home to two notable ‘cradles’: the Cradle of Humankind, in Gauteng — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 — and the Cradle of Human Culture, a newer site, which takes the theme of human development into the realm of culture. The Cradle of Human Culture is rooted in a


few main archaeological sites in the Western Cape. These sites preserve some of the world’s earliest evidence of the evolution of modern human behaviour. From engraved ostrich eggshells and bone


tools to shell beads and the first evidence of drawing, visitors will discover some of humanity’s earliest use of symbols, art and technological innovation. While the Cradle of Humankind tracks the earliest steps of the human journey, the Cradle of Human Culture holds evidence of how our ancestors started to manifest abstract thought, to use fire to improve their tool-making skills and to delve into marine resources for their nutrition.


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These sites reveal how we started to innovate socially, behaviourally and culturally as a species. By following our earliest ancestors’ footsteps, visitors can discover how we became what we are today. The Cradle of Human Culture includes


several archaeological and palaeontological sites in the Western Cape, with the major ones being Diepkloof Rock Shelter and Pinnacle Point. A trip to the Cradle of Human Culture encompasses these sites, as well as numerous others that track the expression of human culture through the ages. Diepkloof Rock Shelter, east of Eland’s Bay on


the Cape West Coast, contains evidence, dating back as far as 65,000 years, of the earliest use of symbols by human beings, in the form of patterns engraved on ostrich egg shells that were used as water containers. While Diepkloof isn’t open to the public for conservation reasons, there are many surrounding historical and archaeological sites to visit that link to this site,


including Eland’s Bay Cave, with its beautiful rock paintings. Archaeological findings from Pinnacle Point,


in Mossel Bay, show that humans were regularly eating seafood from about 167,000 years ago. This world-renowned archaeological site is also home to some of the oldest evidence of the heat- treatment of rock, indicating the construction of new material for tools. Pinnacle Point is open to the public and offers tours with local guides. There are also many surrounding historical and archaeological places to visit that link to this site. At another site near Stilbaai, a small,


73,000-year-old stone flake marked with intersecting lines of red ochre pigment was found. This artefact represents what archaeologists have described as the oldest- known example of human drawing. The site itself isn’t open to the public, but travellers can visit the Museum of Archaeolog in Stilbaai to learn more about the area’s historical significance.


Visitors can experience the Cradle of Human


Culture in two journeys through the Western Cape. The Artist’s Journey route runs along the Cape West Coast and includes the West Coast Fossil Park. The park’s interpretation centre displays well-preserved fossilised remains of creatures that inhabited the area about five million years ago, providing vivid insights into the area’s ancient history. The deeply buried bones of now-extinct


animals, such as saber-toothed cats, short-necked giraffes (sivatheres), hunting hyenas and African bears, were uncovered in the 1950s during phosphate mining and are now visible at the dig site in a display unique to South Africa. San rock art is dotted around the Cederberg


mountains, telling the story of the San and Khoe cultures. Visitors will be able to learn about the surrounding area and the unique ecosystem of the mountain range. Meanwhile along the Coastal Journey, visitors


can experience the Cape Winelands, a region of verdant valleys of vineyards and old Cape


Dutch farmhouses. Travellers can delve into the Cape Overberg sites, such as the Klipgat Cave, initially inhabited during the Stone Age between 50,000 and 80,000 years ago, and then again from 1,200 to 2,000 years ago. Among the main findings in the cave, archaeologists uncovered some of the earliest human remains of Homo sapiens. As one of only three places in South Africa where remains this old have been excavated, Klipgat Cave is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Western Cape and of global significance. Travellers will then explore the Klein


Karoo and journey onward along the famous Garden Route, a beautiful 150-mile stretch of coastline with some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. Here, visitors will discover archaeological sites such as Pinnacle Point and Nelson Bay Cave, and learn about how our ancient ancestors lived. One of the main highlights is heading underground to experience the spectacular Cango Caves, a network of caverns festooned with stalactites and stalagmites.


Don’t miss Taking a unique journey through humanity’s shared history in the Cradle of Human Culture


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KEY ACTIVITIES Artist’s Journey: • !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre


• West Coast National Park • West Coast Fossil Park • Elands Bay Cave • Diepkloof Rock Shelter • Sevilla Rock Art Trail • Truitjieskraal


Coastal Journey: • Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden • Phillipskop Mountain Reserve • Klipgat Cave • Museum of Archaeology in Stilbaai • Pinnacle Point • Cango Caves • Nelson Bay Cave


Get in touch cradleofhumanculture.co.za


T: +27 (0) 21 487 8600 E: hello@wesgro.co.za


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