New fossil museum with the world’s largest collection of unique prehistoric species opens in South Africa New fossil museum with the world’s largest collection of unique prehistoric species opens in South Africa

A new fossil museum with the world’s largest collection of unique prehistoric species has just opened in South Africa.

Located in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, Karoo Origins – The Fossil Centre has more than 850 fossil skulls on display, 107 of which are holotypes – the original reference fossils used to define new species – making it a must-visit for palaeontology enthusiasts.

The centre traces the geological history of the Karoo Basin and the early evolution of dinosaurs, tortoises, crocodiles, and mammals. The specimens found here are considered to be the best continental record of the Permian mass extinction event, the most severe mass extinction event on earth which took place 252 million years ago.

Among the bones of long-extinct dinosaurs, visitors can follow the fossil hunts of the Rubidge family, the collectors of this treasure trove of the prehistoric past. Sidney Rubidge made his first discovery in 1934, with the collection overseen by four successive generations of Rubidge farm owners since then.

The Karoo landscape ​​provides a fossil record of Gondwana – the prehistoric supercontinent that incorporated present-day Africa, Madagascar, South America, India, Antarctica, and Australia.

Professor Bruce Rubidge, the centre’s director, said, “What is being created here is an exciting experience and journey into the distant past.

“We are looking forward to welcoming anyone with an interest in palaeontology, from amateur enthusiasts to local and international scientists, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students.”

Karoo Origins – The Fossil Centre is around a seven hour drive from Cape Town. Outside the museum, visitors can do some fossil hunting of their own, with guided fossil walks in Nieu-Bethesda and immersive experiences at the Ganora Fossil Museum, where Bushman paintings and dinosaur bones line the walls.

More information: fossilcentre.co.za

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