» Cradle of Humankind http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:42:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Celebrate the warm summer weather by getting out of Joburg for the day http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/celebrate-the-warm-summer-weather-by-getting-out-of-joburg-for-the-day http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/celebrate-the-warm-summer-weather-by-getting-out-of-joburg-for-the-day#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 07:37:45 +0000 liz http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=3161 So much to do over weekends in Joburg: Why not head out to Toadbury Hall in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Toadbury Hall offers specially packed picnic baskets to enjoy outdoors under a shady tree or in the warm sunshine. The menu changes with the seasons and includes a range of handmade snacks, delicious mains and a selection of sweets. For more information call 079 512 0554.

Or take a drive out to the Magaliesberg.   Hollybrooke Farm is situated in the Skeerpoort valley, on the banks of the Magalies River, at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of a working farm and have a meall at the Coffee Shop. They might even prepare a picnic for you to enjoy on the river bank. For more information call 082 552 1285.

Or pack you own picnic for the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Entrance is just R25 and with short hikes and manicured gardens it is the perfect spot for a relaxed picnic with family and friends.   Simply pack your picnic basket with all your favourite treats and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the sunshine.  For more information visit www.sanbi.org.za or call 086 100 1278

]]> http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/celebrate-the-warm-summer-weather-by-getting-out-of-joburg-for-the-day/feed 0 Become a bone detective …. http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/become-a-bone-detective http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/become-a-bone-detective#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:33:39 +0000 liz http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=2980 The Maropeng Visitor Centre recently launched a new walking tour to give amateur paleoanthropologists insight into the exciting fossil record to be found in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.    The new half-day tour called Bone Detectives is an introduction to human evolution and how fossils provides clues about our ancestors who lived millions of years ago.  The tour is hosted by Brendon Billings, a young up-and-coming scientist from the University of Witwatersrand. Billings has always been passionate about the world around him and through these tours he is sharing his passion and knowledge with people interested in human heritage.   The tour costs R350 per a person and includes a fun interactive learning session plus a tour of the Sterkfontein Caves followed by a delicious picnic buffet overlooking the beautiful World Heritage Site.   To book phone Maropeng on  +27 (0) 14 577 9000

]]> http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/become-a-bone-detective/feed 0 Sediba Australopithecus goes on display again at Maropeng, Cradle of Humankind http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/sediba-australopithecus-goes-on-display-again-at-maropeng-cradle-of-humankind http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/sediba-australopithecus-goes-on-display-again-at-maropeng-cradle-of-humankind#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:31:18 +0000 liz http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=2978 The fossils of Australopithecus sediba are to be exhibited once again at Maropeng,  from September 9 to September 26.   The adult female specimen, MH-2, will feature prominently in a new display called More secrets of sediba revealed, along with other fossils from the Malapa site in the Cradle of Humankind.     There will be tours which will be led by one of the experts behind the new research and they will provide  insights into some of the findings that have been made. The tour begins at 16h00 and costs R350 per person and will be followed by a dinner at  Maropeng Hotel.

]]> http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/sediba-australopithecus-goes-on-display-again-at-maropeng-cradle-of-humankind/feed 0 More tours of fossil sites in the Cradle of Humakind http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/more-tours-of-fossil-sites-in-the-cradle-of-humakind http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/more-tours-of-fossil-sites-in-the-cradle-of-humakind#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:47:08 +0000 liz http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=2306 I blogged on the tours to Swartkrans in the Cradle of humankind  http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/cradle-of-humankind-fascinating-tour-of-our-originsn but now there are opportunties to visit Cooper’s Cave, a relatively new excavation site in the Cradle of Humankind, with Wits University palaeoanthropologist Christine Steininger. For R350 per person, including lunch, you get to explore the cave, interact with Christine while she explains fossils and the site, and learn how to make stone tools.    The family friendly tour starts at 09h00. Don’t forget to bring your sun hat, apply sunscreen and wear comfortable walking shoes.  There will also be tours on 6th Novemebr as well as 4th, 15th, 22nd and 29th December and 5th January. You can only book on line. Go to www.maropeng.co.za and click on the ‘Book here’ icon.

]]> http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/more-tours-of-fossil-sites-in-the-cradle-of-humakind/feed 0 Tours for the public to explore a newly discovered fossil site in the Cradle http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/tours-for-the-public-to-explore-a-newly-discovered-fossil-site-in-the-cradle http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/tours-for-the-public-to-explore-a-newly-discovered-fossil-site-in-the-cradle#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:32:04 +0000 liz http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=1200 From Maropeng’s February 2010 newlsetter

On April 10, Maropeng and iHominin will give budding palaeontologists a rare opportunity to explore a 1.5-million-year-old fossil site. Cooper’s Cave, 1.2km from the famous Sterkfontein Caves near Johannesburg, is a relatively newly discovered fossil site, where several species of animals and a number of stone tools have been found. The day’s activities include an interactive fossil and site talk, exploring a cave, a chance to look for fossils, and learning how to make stone tools. This is a must-do for adults and children with an interest in palaeontology and archaeology. Remember to pack a hat, apply sunscreen and wear comfortable walking shoes – oh, and bring your camera! The price is R350 per person and it includes a light picinic lunch. The tour will start at 09h00. For more information, contact Maropeng on +27 (0) 14 577 9000 or e-mail: info@maropeng.co.za.

Upcoming Cooper’s Cave picnics: 01 May and 08 June

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