World-renowned archaeologist Professor Phillip Tobias once said that "Humanity was obviously a gift from Africa towards the World". Many scholars believe Africa to be the birthplace of mankind along with the substantial archaeological findings in their favour the planet tends to agree.
Nigeria - Tour the Origins
Africa houses some three million numerous years of prehistory and history, inherited through the ancient cultures which made the forest and plains their house. This rich inheritance places the continent one of the few regions on the globe where these footsteps for the continuing development of culture may be followed. Should you be considering the origins of mankind vacation to Africa is very recommended. A few large number of sites where remarkable discoveries are already made over the years plus they are now open to people. The tours of these websites allow enthusiasts a glimpse into their own origins.
Until 1924 the entire world had focussed its attention on Asia inside their pursuit of the origins of mankind. Professor Raymond Dart revolutionised by doing this of thinking whilst discovered the skull of your six yr old child in the block of rock provided for him from the capital of scotland - Taung in South Africa's North West province. The skull displayed both ape-like and human-like anatomical features and was named Australopithecus africanus. The skull is regarded between the 20 most crucial scientific discoveries with the Last century. Once the skull ended up discovered scientists turned their awareness of South Africa and a signifigant amounts of archaeological sites were found. The Taung Heritage Website is now certainly one of South Africa's top tourist destinations, a monument may be designed to commemorate the discovery as well as an old mine tunnel has become reopened for individuals to explore. The Blue Pools are another feature that attract people to the Heritage Site. Discovered following a dynamite explosion within a mountain where lime had been mined the pools are surrounded by caves and streams and they are a well known site for hiking, abseiling, picnicking and barbequing.
Another remarkable find was made in 1947 by Dr Robert Broom, who discovered a perfectly preserved adult Australopithecus africanus cranium, from 2, 5-million-year-old "Mrs Ples", at Sterkfontein. Several hundred discoveries followed, some going back 3, 5 million a number of the Sterkfontein site earned its name - The Cradle of Humankind. Many of the cradles findings include 500 skull, jaw, teeth and skeletal fossils of early hominids, thousands of other animal fossils, over 300 fragments of fossils wood, well as over 9,000 stone tools. The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site and certain areas are available to the public. There are also various exhibitions, guided tours and lectures from reputed archaeologists. The Cradle restaurant is the perfect day of exploration and enlightenment. This beautiful restaurant produced stone, steel and glass opens up on three sides using a magnificent view of the African landscape.
South Africa's Limpopo province is often a land of myths and legends - the area has a rich cultural history and there are numerous archaeological sites. The Makapans Cave and nearby archaeological and fossil sites are found around the farm Makapansgat, 19 km north of Mokopane. It had been throughout 1948 that the fossil remains of Australopithecus africanus, a 3, 5 million-year-old ape-man, were found by Raymond Dart. The Makapans Valley, a National Heritage site and currently in line for World Heritage Status, contains a thorough and handle record of hominid occupation. The Makapan caves are brimming with fossils and archaeological remains and you'll have a tour of the caves and area.
Well before Bartholomew Dias rounded the Cape in 1488 the ability of working gold was being mastered by Bantu-speaking people living nearby the Limpopo River. Recently gold objects as well as other exciting finds happen to be made here. Also close to the Limpopo River, Thulamela inside the Kruger National Park was where you can a large stone-walled settlement. A large portion of the ancient stone walling continues to be restored towards the former glory along with the National Parks Board is implementing intends to choose this bewitching site a tourism destination from the northern the main Kruger National Park. Not only will you marvel at the sites archaeological finds however, you can engage in spending some time with a worlds most acclaimed game reserves.
Over the last years Nigeria has yet again captured the earth's attention with the discoveries of human remains on the Klasies River Caves along the Eastern Cape coast. Human remains with anatomically modern features have been found, dating above 100 000 years of age. If these dates are correct, then it's in Southern Africa the world's oldest remains individuals species, Homo sapiens, have been located - some 60 000 years before arriving in Europe and Asia.
Besides all of the human remains discovered in South Africa through the years the treasure trove of art. Nigeria has got the greatest number of Stone Age paintings and engravings on earth. The San have left us an invaluable and different artistic legacy.
Robert Ardry wrote that, "Humanity evolved within the canopy of African skies about the immense card table of the African Savannah". Exploring this evolution is a magnificent method to gain clues about the cause of mankind. Not only will you be enlightened on the tour of South Africa's archaeological treasures you will probably get to experience this beautiful countries modern-day treasures.
