The Iziko South African Museum is currently finalising a repair and renovation project, funded by the Department of Public Works. Certain public areas such as the foyer, restaurant and retail area will be renovated and upgraded. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

AFRICAN DINOSAURS
NEW permanent exhibition

The first phase of this exciting exhibition opened two years ago and included a huge skeleton of a herbivorous dinosaur called Jobaria, as well as the massive skull of the carnivorous dinosaur Carcharodontosaurus. The entire exhibition is about to open and now includes the skeleton of a weird-looking large carnivorous dinosaur called Suchomimus, as well as beautifully crafted dioramas of dinosaur scenes. The exhibition provides the complete story of dinosaurs, with supporting fossils on display. The emphasis is on dinosaurs that lived on the land that now makes up the African continent, from some of the oldest known dinosaurs discovered from fossils in South Africa, to some of the largest dinosaurs, known from fossils uncovered in Niger and Morocco.

Enquiries: Olga Jeffries, Tel. 021 481 3897 or email ojeffries@iziko.org.za

DARWIN AND THE CAPE
CURRENT

2009 saw the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book, On the Origin of Species. His theory on the evolution of life through natural selection provided a scientific foundation for understanding how life diversified on Earth, and it is the theory that holds biology together. Darwin visited the Cape in 1836 on his journey around the world on the HMS Beagle. He corresponded with naturalists at the Cape, including previous staff of the South African Museum. This exhibition provides
an overview of Darwin’s life, his contribution to biology, and his relationship with the Cape.

Enquiries: Olga Jeffries, Tel. 021 481 3897
or email ojeffries@iziko.org.za

BEADS: RITUAL AND ORNAMENTATION
CURRENT

The small but rather beautiful ‘Beads: Ritual and Ornamentation’ exhibition features prehistoric and ethnographic beads from southern Africa. Objects on display include Nassarius kraussianus shell beads, dating to 77 000 years ago. These are among the earliest beads discovered anywhere in the world. Prehistoric beads used as grave goods are also shown. More recent beads include colourful neck ornaments, 20th century tortoise-shell cosmetic containers decorated with beads, an isidlokolo (otter-skin cap), iqhina (necklet) and an umtseke (arm ornament) worn by Xhosa diviners.

Two posters, one of men adorned with beads in ritual dancing postures, as shown in a drawing by Elisabeth Mannsfeld of a rock painting in Ngolosa, Eastern Cape (Frobenius Collection), and one of diviners at a ceremony in East London, Eastern Cape (1968), contextualize the exhibition.