Exhibition: 'Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour' at De Hoop Collection

De Hoop Collection invites you on an incredible journey back into the past, to a time when early Homo sapiens roamed our earth.

Journey Back in Time

The 'Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour’ exhibition is hosted at De Hoop Collection, in the heart of De Hoop Nature Reserve. This unique showcase opened on 18 January 2024 and is a collaboration between De Hoop, CapeNature, and esteemed research institutions that include the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, the SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE) and the University of Bergen, Norway.

Unravel the Wonders of the Southern Cape’s Coastline

Unravelling the archaeological wonders of the southern Cape's coastline, the exhibition highlights the archaeological sites of Blombos Cave, Klipdrift Shelter, and Klasies River, where early Homo sapiens lived 50,000 to 120,000 years ago. 

The exhibition is the culmination of a lifelong dedication to documenting human origins and indigenous wisdom embodied by brothers Craig Foster (co-founder of the Sea Change Project, and known for the Oscar and BAFTA-winning documentary "My Octopus Teacher") and Damon Foster, alongside decades of archaeological research in the southern Cape by SapienCE scientists like Professor Christopher Henshilwood, Dr Karen van Niekerk, Professor Sarah Wurz, and their teams. The exhibition premiered in 2018 at Spier Wine Estate, and after undergoing various iterations, it will be showcased at De Hoop for three years.

Handpicked by Craig Foster for their strong work ethic and aesthetic flair, De Hoop’s William and Nini Stephens, Hendrik Arendse, and Dalfrenzo Laing will closely collaborate with CapeNature to enhance the region's cultural and natural heritage legacy as stewards of this unique and irreplaceable, "Heart of the World."

Africa Lives in All Of Us

With a powerful 'We Are All One' message, the ‘Origins of Early Southern Behaviour’ exhibition emphasises the genetic roots of all Homo sapiens in Africa.

Exhibition Entry Fees

• Free for De Hoop overnight guests

• Free entry for student outreach

• R200 per person for day visitors

• Group packages are available on request

Make a Weekend of It!

The perfect backdrop for this immersive exploration is situated in the pristine De Hoop Nature and Marine Reserve, renowned for its biodiversity, whale-watching and De Hoop Collection. 

Book your experience now and enjoy a weekend getaway at De Hoop, just three hours from Cape Town. Explore the sea, beaches, and Ramsar-listed vlei. Discover rare plants and diverse wildlife, all while uncovering the fascinating 'Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour.'