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.

Our objective is to transform this area into a secure, welcoming space for visitors that will provide high quality public facilities with improved orientation and information about the Iziko South African Museum, as well as the collections and temporary exhibitions of Iziko’s other eleven museums.

The design solution and implementation of this revamp will embody in some ways the spirit and underlying ethos of Iziko, of providing a warm welcome that will be sure to enhance visitor experience.

AFRICAN DINOSAUR EXHIBITION: PHASE 1
CURRENT

The African Dinosaur Exhibition is still in development, but elements of it are now on display. The main feature is the massive skeleton of the sauropod dinosaur Jobaria, which was cast from a fossil discovered in northern Niger by Dr Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago. Also on show is the huge head of Carcharodontosaurus, a close relative of Tyrannosaurus, and the skull of the extinct crocodile Sarcosuchus.

BEADS: RITUAL AND ORNAMENTATION
CURRENT Extended!

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.

Enquiries: Sarah Wurz, Tel. 021 481 3888.