Which UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Africa includes the Sterkfontein Caves, where important hominin fossils were found?

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa is the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Sterkfontein Caves and other major hominin fossil localities.

The property, often associated with the Cradle of Humankind, lies mainly in Gauteng and the North West province. Its limestone caves preserve a long record of human evolution, including fossils of Australopithecus, Paranthropus, and early members of the genus Homo. Sterkfontein became especially famous after discoveries such as “Mrs Ples,” an Australopithecus skull, and the nearly complete “Little Foot” skeleton.

UNESCO inscribed the fossil sites in 1999 and extended the property in 2005. The caves are scientifically important because they preserve fossils together with evidence about ancient environments, animal communities, and changing landscapes.

The site should not be confused with a single cave or one fossil discovery. It is a group of protected localities whose combined evidence helps researchers investigate hominin evolution over millions of years.