Sterkfontein is the name for a series of limestone caves, northwest of Johannesburg. The caves are from great importance for paleo-antropologists as there are found in the past decades fossils of the early hominids.

The excavations in the caves started at the end of the 19th century but only from 1936 onwards scientists showed more interest into the caves. Up to this day, excavations continue inside the caves near Sterkfontein. Up to now, 500 hominids were found which makes Sterkfontein the richest hominids fossil place in the world.

In the year 2000, Sterkfontein became part of an area known as the Cradle of Human Kind which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.