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Now that mid-winter is making its presence felt we hope you will
find the activities offered here appealing and join us in the coming
months.
Note: For programme details for the
next few months see
Programme for 2008.
Fossil Trip Reportback : 21–25 May 2008
A group of Friends joined Dr Roger Smith and Georgina Farrell on a
three-day fossil excursion in the Three Sisters and Murraysburg area
where we stayed at Travalia Guest Farm. With traditional boerekos each
day and interesting evening lectures by Roger and Prof Eric Harley.
Some of us have become firm friends over the many years of sharing a
fascination with life extremely long gone by, but we also welcomed a
few new faces such as our youngest guest, the 14 year-old Adam
Macgregor from Gauteng. It was indeed the keen eyes of the young and
eager that proved the most helpful.
Roger took us to the slopes of a koppie on the Loxton road where some
intact skulls of 250 million-year-old mammal-like reptiles such as
Diictodon and Prysteradon were found. The thrill of finding
an actual fossil is not the only treat. Listening to Roger explain the
formation of various features of the landscape and characteristic
layering of the Karoo rocks opens up a whole new world of ancient
lakes, volcanoes, floods and meandering rivers were these strange
animals once lived and died.
We also explored three koppies in the same vicinity where good
specimens of Prysteradon, Oudenodon and Diictodon
were found. However, it was one afternoon’s find that had everyone in
awe when we found Adam furiously brushing away at a large piece of
sharply-angled bone. While we kept vigil he charged around the koppie
to find Roger who identified the fossil as the lower jaw of a
three-metre herbivore Dicynodont – probably belonging to Oudenodon.
The local farmers of the Murraysburg district treated us to lunch and
took part of the group on a sight-seeing tour of the town. The rest of
us returned to Loskop and climbed a rather intimidating steep
hillside. Again we found many pieces of large bone; Malcolm Cerfonteyn
spotted a Therocephalian skull and Adam and his cousin, Angus Myburgh,
excitedly called us to look at their find of a large Gorgonopsian
skeleton with the skull and almost the entire backbone intact. This
was a wonderful find which made its way straight into the backpacks of
the scientists to be prepared in the laboratory.
After an enjoyable braai on the last evening we reluctantly said our
farewells and shared our eager anticipation of next year’s fossil
trip. This one certainly was unforgettable.
Website
http://www.iziko.org.za/sam/friends.html. Keep up to date with
activities at Iziko South African Museum on the website. This takes
you directly to the Friends page where you will find the latest
newsletter as well as previous newsletters. A membership application
form and a gift membership form can also be downloaded should you wish
to give one to a friend. You will find images from previous outings
which will give you an idea of the kind of activities enjoyed by the
Friends.
Electronic Transfers
There are an ever-increasing number of unidentified deposits in the
Friends bank account. Please ensure when making an electronic transfer
or depositing directly into the bank account that your name and the
word ‘subscription’, or relevant activity, is clearly stated and that
you forward a copy of the transaction by fax, e-mail or post to the
Friends office so we can trace your deposit.
Office Hours
The Friends office at the Iziko South African Museum is attended by
Maxine on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00–16:00. Should you wish to
make contact at other times you may phone Maxine at 072 225 6893
between 10:00–12:00, weekdays, and leave a message. Your call will be
returned as soon as is possible. Sadly Melissa has decided to continue
with her studies and is no longer able to spend time in the office.
Welcome to all new members
It is a pleasure to welcome the following new members who have
recently joined the Friends – we look forward to meeting you at our
future activities.
Derek Blignaut, Ingrid Blignaut, Zoë Blignaut, Estelle Cluver,
Michael Cluver, Fr Mark Pothier, Edward von Witt and Jane von Witt. | 
