Some of the most important clues to human evolution have come out of a set of limestone caves in the grassland north-west of Johannesburg. The Sterkfontein caves, in the area known as the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have yielded hundreds of hominin fossils, including Mrs Ples, a skull of Australopithecus africanus about two million years old, found in 1947, and Little Foot, an almost complete skeleton of an Australopithecus, painstakingly extracted from the rock over two decades.
The caves were mined for lime in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the miners blasted out fossils with the rock. Scientists began systematic work here in the 1930s, and excavations continue today. Guided tours take visitors into the caves, through chambers and passages, and explain what was found where. Maropeng, a visitor centre nearby, presents the story of human evolution in an engaging way, with exhibitions and a boat ride through the elements.
The riding around the Cradle of Humankind is pleasant, with roads winding through the rolling grassland of the Highveld, dotted with farms, game reserves and small towns. The Magaliesberg mountains, to the north, offer more winding roads and fine views. Traffic near Johannesburg can be heavy, and driving is on the left. Summer, from October to March, brings afternoon thunderstorms, sometimes violent, with hail, and the winter is dry and sunny, with cold nights. Be aware of security: keep your bike and belongings secure, and avoid riding at night in unfamiliar areas.
Muldersdrift and Krugersdorp, nearby, have fuel, shops and restaurants, and Johannesburg has all services. The area has many lodges, restaurants and farm stalls, popular with weekend visitors from the city. South African food includes braai, barbecue, boerewors, a spiced sausage, and biltong, dried meat, perfect for a ride. Visiting the caves, and seeing the place where our ancestors' bones lay for millions of years, is a humbling experience.