WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF PINNACLE POINT - THE PLACE THAT’S REVEALED OF THE EARLIEST EVIDENCE FOR MODERN HUMAN BEHAVIOUR.

Point of Human Origins

Mitochondrial DNA research has shown that all humans alive today descend from a small population that lived between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago. Archaeological research has shown that at least some of those people lived in Mossel Bay...

Allow us to introduce you to Pinnacle Point - the place that’s revealed the earliest evidence for modern human behaviour.

This short, rugged stretch of South African coastline is not only breathtakingly spectacular, it is also home to some of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made regarding the origins of all people alive on earth today.

The potential archaeological value of Pinnacle Point was initially identified by Jonathan Kaplan and Peter Nilssen during an Archaeological Impact Assessment for the broader Environmental Impact Assessment for the golf course and casino development.

In 1998 Dr Nilssen introduced Prof. Curtis Marean (Arizona State University, USA) to the sites and in 2000 they co-founded the Mossel Bay Archaeology Project. Trial excavations in 2000 were very successful and archaeological investigations in the caves continue to this day. Research into ancient climates and environments became an integral part of the research project (dubbed SACP4) in 2005 and today it is one of the best funded projects of its kind worldwide.

Modern human behaviour 162,000 years ago?

The main discoveries were published in the leading scientific journals, Science and Nature. At the moment, Cave 13B contains some of the earliest evidence for modern human behaviour in the world, dated to 162 000 years ago. Pinnacle Point is now a Provincial Heritage Site and is also listed with UNESCO for nomination as a World Heritage Site.

Point of Human Origins tours

These important archaeological sites are now accessible to small groups of people. These exciting, stimulating, half-day or 1.5 hour excursions will change the way you think about our origins as modern, thinking people.