The West Coast Fossil Park, less than 2 hours north of Cape Town, provides visitors a glimpse into the history of the Cape 5 million years ago.
- Visit the West Coast Fossil Park, a 14 hectare National Park that has been teaching us about our past for over 40 years.
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- See the fossilised remains of extinct animals which include a three-toed horse and elephants.
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- Experience the thrill of digging up fossils at an active excavation site.
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Fossils have been found at the West Coast Fossil Park for the past forty years. The Park was officially declared a National Monument in 1996. This 14 hectare area is a place where young and old can learn about ancient environments, animal life and climatic changes.
The fossil bones found here have attracted world-wide attention. The range of extinct animals include a bear (Agriotherium africanum) which is the first bear discovered south of the Sahara desert. Other animals include sabre-toothed cats, three toed horses and at least two extinct species of elephants. Fossils of megatooth sharks and a variety of birds, including a huge ostrich have also been found.
This fossil rich area is an educational and entertaining experience. Over 70 scientific papers on the fossils found here have been published. Continuing research is being conducted to try and understand the impact of the different environmental changes. Visitors are able to view in situ fossils at active excavation sites. Slide shows and lectures are presented before visitors are taken to the active excavation sites.
The West Coast Fossil Park is near the town of Vredenburg on the Cape West Coast. The drive from Cape Town is about an hour and a half.
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