Journey Through Time: Life in Ancient South Africa!

NEW TEMPORARY PALAEONTOLOGY EXHIBIT OPENS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM BLOEMFONTEIN

The National Museum in Bloemfontein invites members of the public to experience its newest temporary exhibition, “Journey Through Time: Life in Ancient South Africa!”, a fascinating exploration of the region’s deep prehistoric past.

This educational exhibition takes visitors on a journey spanning more than 420 million years, when South Africa formed part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Through real fossil specimens and engaging interpretive text, visitors can discover how life evolved from early marine animals to mammal-like reptiles and some of the earliest dinosaurs.

Highlights of the exhibition include fossil fishes from ancient oceans, petrified trees from prehistoric forests, fossil shells, and remarkable Karoo creatures such as Lemurosaurus, Gorgonopsia, Dicynodonts including Lystrosaurus, Lydekkerina, Galesaurus, and early dinosaurs such as Massospondylus, Melanorosaurus, and Lesothosaurus.

The exhibition also explains major geological time periods, the evolution of early mammals, and the mass extinction event that ended the age of dinosaurs approximately 66 million years ago.This display forms part of the National Museum’s ongoing commitment to making South Africa’s rich palaeontological heritage accessible and engaging to learners, families, and the broader community.

Visitors of all ages are encouraged to explore the exhibition and discover the incredible story of life that once existed beneath their feet.

Exhibition text compiled by Sudré Havenga with assistance from Dr Frederick Tolchard (Collections Manager and Museum Scientist – Palaeontology).

For more information, please contact:

National Museum Bloemfontein

Tel: (051) 447 9609

Website: www.nasmus.co.za

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday: 9:00am – 16:30pm

Saturday: 10:00am – 15:00pm