If you've ever visited the Garden Route from other parts of the country (or the world), perhaps you've inexplicably felt all of your stress evaporate (particularly if you're lucky enough to have a window seat as you fly in over the Outeniqua Mountains!) and suddenly felt that somehow you were coming "home". Well, it all makes perfect sense: this is where it all began!
Dr. Peter Nilssen (with assistance from Fred Orban) gave a fascinating lecture/presentation at the Pinnacle Point Golf Estate's clubhouse, followed by a guided tour of the caves where evidence of humankind's existence has been uncovered, dating as far back as 164,000 years ago (with speculation it could even be as far back as 180,000 years ago).
Peter originally discovered the caves whilst conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (as mandated by law for any new real estate developments) for the golf estate in 1997, so it was great to have his perspective and insight.
Fred, meanwhile, runs the internationally-reknowned Oystercatcher Trail which has received rave reviews from the likes of National Geographic Traveller Magazine, Getaway Magazine, the BBC's Julia Bradbury in her "Africa Walks" series, and many others. Julia, who filmed her 4-part series in 2009 (occasionally rebroadcast on BBC4) and gave this interview when she was in Mossel Bay.
The Golf Estate's website has a bit more information on the Pinnacle Point Caves, and the efforts underway to have it declared a World Heritage Site. Scientific American has a very interesting & informative interactive presentation (based on an article which appeared in the July 21, 2010 issue of their magazine) that is well worth a run through. There is also an earlier, Oct 17, 2007 article, which speaks about the significance of these early people's seafood diet - and of course, there are reams and reams of much more scholarly research available on the entire subject.
If you are interested in a guided tour (indeed, this is the only way it is permitted to see the caves) and a highly informative, interactive talk on the context and their significance, be sure to visit the Points of Human Origin website for more information.
If you're interested in a bit of a preview see these YouTube videos of Peter Nilssen's presentation and Arizona State University archaeologist Chris Marean's work at the Pinnacle Point Caves.
The gallery of photos below gives an idea of the stunning natural beauty found as you climb down the stairs - (180 steps each way, but it feels like more on the way up!) - to the caves beneath the golf course (click to enlarge or view as a slideshow).
Dr. Peter Nilssen (with assistance from Fred Orban) gave a fascinating lecture/presentation at the Pinnacle Point Golf Estate's clubhouse, followed by a guided tour of the caves where evidence of humankind's existence has been uncovered, dating as far back as 164,000 years ago (with speculation it could even be as far back as 180,000 years ago).
Peter originally discovered the caves whilst conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (as mandated by law for any new real estate developments) for the golf estate in 1997, so it was great to have his perspective and insight.
Fred, meanwhile, runs the internationally-reknowned Oystercatcher Trail which has received rave reviews from the likes of National Geographic Traveller Magazine, Getaway Magazine, the BBC's Julia Bradbury in her "Africa Walks" series, and many others. Julia, who filmed her 4-part series in 2009 (occasionally rebroadcast on BBC4) and gave this interview when she was in Mossel Bay.
The Golf Estate's website has a bit more information on the Pinnacle Point Caves, and the efforts underway to have it declared a World Heritage Site. Scientific American has a very interesting & informative interactive presentation (based on an article which appeared in the July 21, 2010 issue of their magazine) that is well worth a run through. There is also an earlier, Oct 17, 2007 article, which speaks about the significance of these early people's seafood diet - and of course, there are reams and reams of much more scholarly research available on the entire subject.
If you are interested in a guided tour (indeed, this is the only way it is permitted to see the caves) and a highly informative, interactive talk on the context and their significance, be sure to visit the Points of Human Origin website for more information.
If you're interested in a bit of a preview see these YouTube videos of Peter Nilssen's presentation and Arizona State University archaeologist Chris Marean's work at the Pinnacle Point Caves.
The gallery of photos below gives an idea of the stunning natural beauty found as you climb down the stairs - (180 steps each way, but it feels like more on the way up!) - to the caves beneath the golf course (click to enlarge or view as a slideshow).
