These collections include fossil and sub-fossil material representing approximately the last 3 million years. During this period, which also covers much of the development of early hominid and human ancestors, essentially modern faunas were established. Many assemblages are also directly or indirectly associated with archaeological material. The collections provide palaeoenvironmental and palaeoecological contexts for faunal biodiversity and the development of human behaviour. They also contribute observations for developing long-term palaeoenvironmental frameworks which are used in assessing modern issues such as global warming.

Quaternary Faunal Collections

Key Samples

• Skurwerug (open, inland) (Plio-Pleistocene).
• Elandsfontein (open, inland) (Early to Late Pleistocene). 
• Duinefontein (open, inland) (Middle Pleistocene). 
• Springfontein (open, inland) (Middle Pleistocene). 
• Sea Harvest (open, coastal) (Middle/Late Pleistocene). 
• Hoedjiespunt (open, coastal) (Middle/Late Pleistocene). 
• Ysterfontein (open, coastal) (Middle/Late Pleistocene).
• Swartklip (open, inland) (Middle/Late Pleistocene).
• Spreeuwalle (open, inland) (Middle/Late Pleistocene).

Pleistocene Fossils

These collections include fossil and sub-fossil terrestrial, marine and freshwater vertebrates and invertebrates representing approximately the last two million years. This period also covers much of the development of early human ancestors. The collections provide environmental and ecological contexts for faunal evolution and biodiversity as well as the development of human behaviour. These observations also contribute to our knowledge of long-term environmental change and understanding of modern issues such as global warming.

Some collections from this period are directly or indirectly associated with archaeological material. They add to our knowledge of early hominid populations, which were small and sparsely distributed, leaving only ephemeral remains in the ancient landscape (see Social History Collections).

Although essentially modern faunas are represented a number of ancestral and now extinct species were still present. Some, like the long-horned buffalo Pelorovis antiquus, giant ‘hartebeest’ Megalotragus priscus and Cape zebra Equus capensis, only become extinct about 12 000 years ago.

Elandsfontein Collection

There are some 20,000 specimens from Elandsfontein. The main assemblage dates to between 700,000 and 400,000 years ago, although earlier and more recent elements occur.

Earlier elements, which are rare, include Theropithecus, Megantereon gracile, Sivatherium maurusium, Kolpochoerus paiceae and Metridiochoerus andrewsi.

An early Homo sapiens was found at Elandsfontein. Early, Middle and Later Stone Age artefacts also occur. The excavated Late Acheulian ‘Cutting 10’ artefact and bone assemblage of forms part of this collection. The material is mostly mammalian, but includes small numbers of birds.

Duinefontein Collection

A large assemblage of excavated Middle Pleistocene fauna and Late Acheulian stone artefact dated to between 400,000 and 300,000 years ago. The material is mainly mammalian, but includes birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Upper Pleistocene Collections

Assemblages from Swartklip, Sea Harvest, Hoedjiespunt and Ysterfontein were accumulated during the Last Glacial period by hyaenas.

Taphonomy Collection

This collection, assembled for current actualistic research, includes remains of prey of leopard, hyaena, jackal, viverrids, and large and small raptors. The collection also includes comparative assemblages of marine molluscs from modern contexts.

Tertiary Fossil Collections

Miocene and Pliocene Fossil Collection

These collections comprise over half a million specimens representing some 300 marine and terrestrial vertebrate species.

Langebaanweg Collection

The largest collection by far is from the early Pliocene phosphate mine at Langebaanweg, which includes many type specimens. Large mammal species from Langebaanweg include an ancient mastodon Anancus sp., which had tusks in its upper and lower jaws, an ancient mammoth Mammuthus subplanifrons, a short-necked giraffe Sivatherium sp., an ancestral white rhino Ceratotherium praecox, two sabretooth cat genera Machairodus sp. and Homotherium sp., false sabre-tooth cat Dinofelis sp. and a large bear Agriotherium africanum. The giant pig Nyanzochoerus sp. is also well represented. There are several hyaena species, including Percrocuta australis, Hyaena abronia and Hyaenictis preforfex, and a wide range of other carnivores, including phocid seals, which are related to crab-eater seals. Three-toed horses Hipparion sp. are present. Antelope remains are common.

Rodents, insectivores, reptiles and amphibians are common. The marine and terrestrial bird assemblage is extremely diverse. Fish include sharks and rays. Molluscs are also present.

Miocene Whale Collection

This is an important collection of Miocene ziphid whale (beaked and bottle-nosed whales) rostra, dredged from the continental shelf by commercial trawlers.