GEORGE NEWS - Fossil expert Dr Charles Helm has been researching fossil vertebrate tracks and traces on the Cape south coast since 2007.
He is a Research Associate with the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha.
Although Helm's home is now in Canada, he hails from Great Brak River. Helm conducts his early man and Ichnology research in a fascinating way hauling up or recording some of these very important specimens as they emerge from the sea.
Helm will present his latest findings on the Cape South coast after studying fossil vertebrate tracks here for the past 16 years. The talk is at George Museum on Saturday 2 December from 10:00 to 12:00.
So far 350 tracksites have been found between Arniston and Robberg, yielding 35 scientific papers. Included are hominin tracksites including the oldest known Homo sapiens footprints, probable evidence of the oldest use of footwear, and patterns our ancestors made in the sand.
Other highlights include hatchling turtle trackways, the first global record of elephant trunk drag impressions, giant tortoise tracks, the first snake traces in the global record, crocodile trackways, and tracks of larger-than-expected birds.
The presentation will feature these and other discoveries, including research findings from the 2023 field season, and will interpret them in a historical and environmental context.
The event is a joint venture by WESSA Eden and the Heritage Trust event
The minimum donation of R20 p.p. includes a cup of tea or coffee.
Another opportunity to hear Helm speak:
Tuesday 5 December
Time : 18:00
Venue: Great Brak River Museum
Address: 13 Amy Searle Street, Great Brak
Snacks and wine will be available.
Hosted by the Great Brak River Museum
Tickets: R 60 p.p - only 30 seats available. Collect at the museum. Cash or card. New number: 064 681 0600
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
