West Coast Fossil Park - Museum Explorer SA

Table of Contents

Introduction

The West Coast Fossil Park, located in Western Cape, is a paleontological treasure trove that provides a unique insight into the ancient past. The site boasts close to 300 fossil animal species, including marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, making it one of the most diverse paleontological sites in the world.

Discoveries at the Park

One of the most notable finds at the West Coast Fossil Park is the remains of African bears, Sivatheres (a species of short-neck giraffe), Proboscideans (elephants and their close relatives), sabre tooth cats, three-toed horses, and whales. These fossils are well preserved due to the quick burial of the bodies in moist environments, such as riverbeds, floodplains, ponds, marshes, intertidal mudflats, and beach gravels. The minerals in the surrounding sediments were able to penetrate the bones, molecule by molecule, over time, replacing the organic matter with inorganic matter. This process turned the highly mineralized bones into stone, providing us with a unique window into the past.

What to See at the Park

The West Coast Fossil Park is not only an active dig site that is open to public viewing, but also home to a fascinating Visitor Centre. The Pliocene Garden Amphitheatre is a particularly aesthetically pleasing aspect of the park, offering a representation of what the world would have looked like about 5 million years ago. With its variety of subtropical trees and shrubs, the garden is a far cry from the surrounding fynbos scrub.

In the large and airy Sivathere Hall, visitors will learn about the larger animal species that once roamed this habitat, as well as the otherworldly environment they inhabited. Large multimedia panels depict a day in the life of these creatures, from dawn till dusk, along the walls, following the ancient Berg River from its source in the Franschhoek mountains to where it entered the sea in Saldanha Bay when the sea level was about 30m higher than today.

The Subterranean Display is a fascinating ode to the vibrant life under our feet, showcasing every mammal, reptile, spider, and insect depicted in this space, shown a hundred and fifty times bigger than it is in real life.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Tourist Experiences

Make a trip of it and visit some of the other recommended museums, tourist attractions and experiences in the area.

Conclusion

The West Coast Fossil Park is a unique and significant site that provides a window into the past. From its close to 300 fossil species to its fascinating visitor centre, the park is a must-visit for anyone interested in the natural world and the lessons it has to offer.