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Adventure Travel On Horseback
When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?
* Hiking?
* White water rafting?
* Scuba diving?
* Something as sedentary as a cruise ship or land rover safari?
Those ideas lose their "adventure" status when you compare them to...
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Sydney Road Trip -- Chin Chin to the Hunter Region
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Wildebeest Migration - How To Get The Best Seats In The House
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Africa - The Cradle of Humankind
World-renowned archaeologist Professor Phillip Tobias once said
that "Humanity was a gift from Africa to the World". Many
scholars believe Africa to be the birthplace of mankind and with
the substantial archaeological findings in their favour the
world tends to agree.
South Africa - Tour the Origins
South Africa is home to some three million years of prehistory
and history, inherited from the ancient cultures which made the
mountains and plains their home. This rich inheritance places
the country among the few regions in the world where these
footsteps towards the development of culture can be followed. If
you are interested in the origins of mankind a trip to South
Africa is highly recommended. There are a multitude of sites
where remarkable discoveries have been made throughout the years
and they are now open to members of the public. The tours of
these sites allow enthusiasts a glimpse into their own origins.
Until 1924 the world had focussed its attention on Asia in their
quest for the origins of mankind. Professor Raymond Dart
revolutionised this way of thinking when he discovered the skull
of a six year old child in a block of rock sent to him from the
town of 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
amongst the 20 most significant scientific discoveries of the
20th century. Once the skull had been discovered scientists
turned their attention to South Africa and a huge number of
archaeological sites were found. The Taung Heritage Site
is now one of South Africa's top tourist destinations, a
monument has been built to commemorate the discovery and an old
mine tunnel has been reopened for visitors to explore. The Blue
Pools are another feature that attract visitors to the Heritage
Site. Discovered after a dynamite explosion in a mountain in
which lime was being mined the pools are surrounded by caves and
streams and are a popular 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, belonging to the 2, 5-million-year-old "Mrs
Ples", at Sterkfontein. Several hundred discoveries followed,
some dating back 3, 5 million years and the Sterkfontein site
earned its name - The Cradle of Humankind. Some 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, and over 9,000 stone tools.
The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site and certain
areas are open 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 built
from stone, steel and glass opens up on three sides
with a
magnificent view of the African landscape.
South Africa's Limpopo province is a land of myths and legends -
the area has a rich cultural history and there are many
archaeological sites. The Makapans Cave and nearby
archaeological and fossil sites are situated on the farm
Makapansgat, 19 km north of Mokopane. It was here in 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 an extensive and complete
record of hominid occupation. The Makapan caves are full of
fossils and archaeological remains and you can take a tour of
the caves and area.
Long before Bartholomew Dias rounded the Cape in 1488 the art of
working gold was being mastered by Bantu-speaking people living
near the Limpopo River. Recently gold objects and other
exciting finds have been made here. Also near the Limpopo River,
Thulamela in the Kruger National Park was home to a large
stone-walled settlement. A large section of the ancient stone
walling has been restored to its former glory and the National
Parks Board is working on plans to make this bewitching site a
tourism destination in the northern part of the Kruger National
Park. Not only can you marvel at the sites archaeological finds
but you can also enjoy spending time in one of the worlds most
acclaimed game reserves.
In more recent years South Africa has once again captured the
world's attention with the discoveries of human remains at the
Klasies River Caves along the Eastern Cape coast. Human
remains with anatomically modern features have been found,
dating well over 100 000 years old. If these dates are correct,
then it is in Southern Africa that the world's oldest remains of
our own species, Homo sapiens, have been found - some 60 000
years before their arrival in Europe and Asia.
Apart from all of the human remains discovered in South Africa
throughout the years the treasure trove of art. South
Africa has the greatest collection of Stone Age paintings and
engravings in the world. The San have left us a priceless and
unique artistic legacy.
Robert Ardry wrote that, "Humanity evolved beneath the canopy
of African skies on the immense card table of the African
Savannah". Exploring this evolution is a magnificent way to gain
insight into the origin of mankind. Not only will you be
enlightened on your tour of South Africa's archaeological
treasures you will also get to experience this beautiful
countries modern day treasures.
About the author:
African Outposts arranges the From Whence
Man Came tour which is designed to explore the origin of
mankind in Africa, more specifically Southern Africa. Specialist
presenters are available to host you at each of the featured
sites mentioned in this article.
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