Story: Maropeng and The Cradle of Humankind: Exploring Our Origins

Maropeng means “returning to the place of our origins” in Setswana. In the grasslands between Johannesburg and Pretoria, there is an ancient place where the lullaby of humanity has played for millions of years. Recently, amidst active archaeological digs and underground caves, a new center opened welcoming our species back home.

It is called the Tumulus of Maropeng. Tumulus is the Latin word for an ancient burial mound; that is exactly what it resembles beyond the flat ground of the parking facility, visitors magnetically drawn to a massive rounded triangle of turf and sod. And what a burial mound it is: outdoor shops, restaurants, banking facilities in a broken circle inclining towards a building enveloping an art museum, underground river, convention center and luxury hotel. Along the path etched stones outline fascinating details about the dinosaur, mammal and human fossils discovered close by.

Rising then falling, a tunnel descends towards a water ride through life’s critical elements (water, ice, wind, fire and earth) into a chamber full of interactive displays, films and informative kiosks. Moving in a straight line beneath the earth’s crust, human evolution is explored in a multifaceted and sensory manner, leading the visitor to ask the big question: What makes us human? Some geologists recently declared the earth has shifted into a new epoch: from the Holocene to the Anthropocene, an era defined by Homo sapien's impact on the planet. The Sustainability Wall thoughtfully and objectively explores our role as the only species controlling and changing it’s environment. The final room displays fossils, some of ancestoral creatures paleontologists are still trying to identify. Some originated from diggings close by; others are on loan from museums all over the world.

After a mind spinning few hours exploring the similarities and diversity of the human race, visitors ascend towards light, revealing the soft, pastoral beauty of the rolling grasslands characteristic in this part of South Africa. Another café can satisfy any physical hunger before a path pulls away from the facility. A 180 degree turn about and the split personality of Maropeng emerges. A thoroughly modern facade outlined in brick red, metal curves upward towards viewing decks, a cocktail lounge and hotel suites. From the upper levels the landscape is calm and serene, yet in the surrounding hectares new discoveries about humanity’s beginnings happen every day.

A short backtrack towards the lower pavilion provides excellent shopping opportunities. The postcards are particularly fun, with tongue and cheek graphics and phrases: a picture of an ape with the question ‘Who’s your Daddy?,” a sketch of one of our ancestors struggling to walk upright with the instructions: “Learn to say homo erectus without giggling.”

The first phase of Maropeng opened to the public a little over 2 years ago. Like it's subject matter the facility is a constantly growing, changing attraction. As I bought offerings for friends and family back home, the charming , enthusiastic staff told me about continuing plans for new interpretation centers, employee housing and tourist facilities. Moderately priced lodging is available for tour groups and school outings. Educational opportunities are enfused by trips to caves, lakes and other active fossil sites. Construction is almost finished on an Interpretation Centre at Mohale’s Gate and Sterkfontein Caves.

I stumbled on the brochure for The Cradle of Humankind laying on the floor of the Johannesburg airport in the que for customs. Intrigued, I stashed it away for future reference. It's definately worth leaving the city to experience our common birthplace, explore the story how we're faring over time. South Africa hosts the Football World Cup in 2010. Anyone traveling to this side of the planet for sport will find Maropeng worth a day or two away from the football venues.

To see and read more go to www.maropeng.co.za