South Africa – Cradle of Humankind – Tour Day 4
Cradle of Humankind
Today was a trip through a rhino and lion reserve to the Cradle of Humankind – one of eight World Heritage sites in South Africa.
The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic limestone caves containing the fossilized remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids.
At least seven of the twelve sites have yielded hominid remains. In fact, together these cave sites have produced over 850 hominid fossil remains, so that to date they represent one of the world’s richest concentrations of fossil hominid bearing sites.The scientific value of this area lies in the fact that these sites provide us with a window into the past, to a time when our earliest ancestors were evolving and changing. Scientists have long accepted that all humans had their origins in Africa.
We received a private tour by one of the archaeologist around the above photographed dig site. Very interesting stuff for sure.
Animals
As we had to pass through a game reserve to get to the dig site we got to see some animals also the way.
Rhinos and Warthogs
Cape Town Zebras
Zebra, Sable Antelope, Ostrich and maybe something else
Landscape
I love the grass prairie in this area, which they of course do not call a prairie but something else – probably something with the word “veld” (for felt) in it. Either way the landscape is beautiful and definitely inspiration for my South African Impressions art project.
Travels
I take a lot of photos out of the bus windows as we travel down the road. Hundreds of them. When I get home and have a proper computer to work on I’ll be sorting through them all and putting all of my photos up on smugmug.
Here’s one of my favorite roadside photos from today’s journey. It’s not perfectly focused as many of these are taken at 100 km/hr but they are okay-ish.
Need a muffler?
The sign says “Mr Exhaust” and the post to the right in front of the white pickup are all the mufflers.
Posted by Lisa in: art adventures
Tagged: africa, animals, Inspiration, south africa
Wow! Wonderful photos. Thank you for taking us viewers right along with you!
Hi Lisa, Alyson just let me know that you were/are (?) in South Africa.
I am a South African, and you have been visiting places very near my home (no we don’t live in the shacks!), but it has been so interesting reading your blog from a different perspective.
We tend to forget the beauty of the surroundings all around us. Thank you for giving me a new appreciation for my country.
Jenni
What a beautifill world and photos