The Wits Sterkfontein Caves have been reopened this week to the public, offering unique insights into human evolution and the origins of humanity while igniting a passion for science in a whole new generation.
Johannesburg, South Africa (17 April 2025) – This week marked the anticipated reopening of the world-renowned Wits Sterkfontein Caves to the public.
Situated within the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site near Johannesburg, this development marks a new chapter for one of humanity’s most important palaeontological sites, as it transitions to full management under Wits University.
Importance of the Site
If you’re keen to visit the iconic site and have an interest in the history of humanity, this reimagined experience plunges you straight into the heart of discovery.
The Sterkfontein Caves have produced some of the most important hominin fossil discoveries, including the iconic “Mrs Ples” (1947) and “Little Foot” (1997) in addition to the hundreds of other fossils of human relatives.
These discoveries have been crucial to informing the global understanding of human evolution and the origins of humanity.
New Research and Educational Experience
According to Wits, the site previously served primarily as a tourist destination, attracting thousands of international and local visitors. However, the reimagined Wits Sterkfontein Caves will offer a more immersive research and educational experience, bringing visitors closer to the science that has defined the site for nearly 100 years.
“This reopening represents a significant evolution in how we share the story of human origins,” says Professor Nithaya Chetty, Dean of the Wits Faculty of Science.
“Visitors now have unique opportunities to engage with active live science and research, all happening in real time.”
Under the new management structure, Dr Job Kibii will serve as the Head of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves, overseeing daily operations and visitor experiences, while Professor Dominic Stratford will continue to lead research activities as the research permit holder.
The enhanced visitor experience will feature:
- Direct interactions with scientists and students conducting research,
- Behind-the-scenes access to fossil preparation laboratories,
- Guided tours of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves with enhanced scientific context,
- Educational programmes focused on human evolution and palaeoanthropology, as well as other scientific disciplines in the Earth Sciences, such as Climate Science and Geosciences, and
- Exhibits showcase the latest discoveries and research findings.
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Wits University, touched on how the reopening of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves represents an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and the public’s understanding of science.
“By making science more accessible, we hope to inspire the next generation of researchers while helping everyone connect more deeply with our shared human story.”
Importance of the Caves
Since taking over the management of the Sterkfontein site in 1966, Wits University’s researchers have made countless contributions to the study of human evolution. The University houses the world’s largest repository of hominin fossils, many of which were discovered in the Wits Sterkfontein Caves.
The limestone caves, formed many millions of years ago, have preserved critical evidence of our relatives as their remains fell into the deep caves through tall, narrow shafts.
For more than three million years, the remains of hominins and many other animals living on the Cradle of Humankind landscape have accumulated underground in huge deposits, creating a fossil record spanning several million years of human evolution.
The Wits Sterkfontein Caves hold exceptional universal value, which led to their designation as part of the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Their scientific importance cannot be overstated, as they continue to yield new discoveries that shape our understanding of who we are and where we come from.
by 