The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Johannesburg, South Africa. It is renowned for its rich fossil deposits, which have provided significant insights into human evolution. The area contains numerous limestone caves, including the famous Sterkfontein Caves, where many early hominid fossils, such as Australopithecus africanus, have been discovered. This site is crucial for understanding the origins of modern humans, as it has yielded some of the oldest known hominid remains. The Cradle of Humankind is also home to the Hominin species, which are direct ancestors of humans, making it a vital area for paleoanthropological research.