A critical evaluation of representations of hominin evolution in the museums of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract This study will attempt to examine the exhibits in the museums in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in South Africa with a view to understanding whether they complement the National Curriculum Statement currently being implemented by the National Department of Education, with specific emphasis on the evolution section of the curriculum for Grade 12 Life Sciences. Human evolution exhibits have also historically been associated with racial and gender stereotypes which can influence the way human evolution is understood by the broader public and by museum visitors like teachers and learners. This will also be discussed in the evaluation of the content of the museums in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site as these limitations continue to influence the way human evolution is understood by the broader public and by museum visitors like teachers and learners.