Become Indiana Jones for a day with the Cooper’s Cave walking tour
Step into the world of Indiana Jones for a day with Maropeng’s Cooper’s Cave picnic and walking tour. Starting at Sterkfontein Caves, the tour allows you to explore a living museum, where the fossils embedded in the rock describe the world, as it was between 1.4- and 1.8-million years ago.
Cooper’s Cave has yielded numerous fossils of previously unidentified animals, and a rich assembly of stone tools.
The day’s activities, led by palaeobiologist Dr Christine Steininger, include an interactive fossil and site talk, exploring a cave, a chance to look for fossils in recently excavated deposits, and learning how to make stone tools.
You’ll never know what you’ll find at Cooper’s Cave
Cooper’s Cave is one of the most diverse and abundant fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind. “You can walk through the site and see literally hundreds of fossils in the rocks around you,” says Steininger. “It’s an incredible experience.”
Fossils of the extinct hominid Paranthropus robustus have been found at Cooper’s and the site is also known to be home to fossils of predators.
Large carnivore species, such as sabre-toothed cats, hyenas and a new species of large dog have also been found there, alongside evidence that they all co-existed.
One of the largest primates recorded at Cooper’s is believed to weigh 67kg, which is bigger than other hominids that existed in the Cradle. This raises the question, which primate was more dominant, the bipedal hominid or the large quadrupedal baboon?
A fun family day out in the Cradle of Humankind
This is a must for adults and children with an interest in palaeontology and archaeology. Remember to pack a jersey, torch, hat, apply sunscreen and wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes – and bring your camera!
As Christine tells her guests, “If you didn’t spot a fossil, there is something wrong with your eyes, there are literally hundreds of fossils visible on the surface.”
The tour will start at 09h00 at Sterkfontein Caves. The cost of the tour is R350 per person and includes a light picnic lunch.
Why not combine the event with an overnight stay at the luxurious Maropeng Boutique Hotel? Prices are per person sharing per night, and this includes dinner, bed and breakfast as well as the Cooper’s Cave picnic and walking tour.
Book online for the following dates:
• February 4
• March 3
Contact website@maropeng.co.za to book the hotel special.
Please note that this event will only go ahead if there is a minimum of 10 people.