The Pleistocene Occupation Sites, a UNESCO World Heritage site in South Africa inscribed in July 2024, consist of three archaeological locations—Diepkloof Rock Shelter, Pinnacle Point Site Complex, and Sibhudu Cave—in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Spanning 162,000 years, these sites offer the most diverse and well-preserved evidence of modern human behavior’s emergence, including advanced tools, engraved ostrich eggshells, and symbolic art. Recognized as South Africa’s 11th UNESCO site, they highlight early human innovation and adaptation to climatic shifts, providing a critical window into our species’ cognitive and cultural evolution.

Copyright © 1992 - 2025 UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.