Importance of South African Fossils

• South Africa has a rich fossil record of plants, animals and early humans.
• Important SA finds include the Coelocanth and the African dinosaur.
• Africa is called the “cradle of humankind” – it is an important fossil site for humankind.

• Hint: Prior to the lesson, visit the internet to find pictures of fossils found in South Africa.
• Show learners the pictures you found of fossils found in South Africa.
• Show learners Presentation 3.
• Discuss what they have learned from the slideshow, including some of the South African fossils found, e.g. Therapsid in the Karoo; dinosaur fossils in the Drakensberg; Glossopteris leaves.

• Each learner must read about the 3 fossils discussed and write a sentence on each.

• Learners will find the information in Thunderbolt Kids pg 153 – 156.

Possible Answers:

Glossopetis leaves: body fossil; leaf covered in mud; over time turned into a fossil.

Dinosaur fossils: found in Drakensberg Mountains – one of the best places in the world for fossils is the sedimentary rock in the Drakensburg and Maluti Mountains.

Therapsid: a small dinosaur with the same features as mammals; found in the Karoo.

• Show Video Clip 2.

The giant foot print is evidence that there were giants on Earth a long, long time ago.   The footprint  is located in South Africa, near the town of Mpaluzi, close to the Swaziland border. It is estimated to be between 200 million and 3 Billion years old because of our current understanding of the formation of granites in Earth’s history.

• Learners complete the Revision Test.

• Fossils for kids – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUJysq0o5JU&feature=youtu.be

• Scientists find homo naledi – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raB-nrfXGIA

• How fossils are formed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EaL8y-mVTo