Just outside Mossel Bay you’ll find the Pinnacle Point Site Complex — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that holds some of the earliest evidence of modern human behaviour anywhere in the world.
Around 160,000 years ago, early Homo sapiens were living in the coastal caves here. They left behind tools, ochre, shellfish remains, and even human remains older than 90,000 years in Cave PP13B.
These finds show our ancestors were already foraging along the sea, using fire to shape stone tools, and possibly even painting with pigment. It’s a rare and fascinating window into the origins of modern humanity right here on South Africa’s southern coast.
If you’d like to visit, guided cave tours (about 60–90 minutes) run daily by appointment only at Pinnacle Point Estate. Usual times are 9:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 Monday to Saturday, and 11:00 or 13:00 on Sundays. You’ll need moderate fitness for the steep stairs. You can book via WhatsApp on +27 79 640 0004 or through www.humanorigin.co.za.