The fossilized remains of the long-necked dinosaur Massospondylus(Image credit: Dr. K. Chapelle)
Credit for finding the very first dinosaur bones generally goes to British gentlemen for their finds in between the 17th and 19th centuries in England.Robert Plotan English nature scholar, was the very first of these toexplaina dinosaur bone, in his 1676 book The Natural History of Oxfordshire. Over the next 2 centuries dinosaur palaeontology would be controlled by many British natural researchers.
our research studyprograms that the history of palaeontology can be traced back much even more into the past. We provide proof that the very first dinosaur bone might have been found in Africa as early as 500 years before Plot’s.
We’re a group of researchers who study fossils in South Africa. Peering through the released and unpublished historical, historic and palaeontological literature, we found that there has actually been interest in fossils in Africa for as long as there have actually been individuals on the continent.
This is not a surprise. Mankind came from Africa:Humankindhas actually existed for a minimum of300,000 yearsAnd the continent has an excellent variety of rock outcrops, such as the Kem beds in Morocco, the Fayum anxiety in Egypt, the Rift Valley in east Africa and the Karoo in southern Africa, including fossils that have actually constantly been available to our forefathers.
It wasn’t simply most likely that African individuals found fossils. It was inescapable.
Usually, the very first dinosaur fossils allegedly found by researchers were really given their attention by regional guides. Examples are the discovery of the massive dinosaursJobariaby the Tuaregs in Niger andGiraffatitanby the Mwera in Tanzania.
Our paper evaluates what’s understood about African native understanding of fossils. We note fossils that appear to have actually long been understood at different African websites, and go over how they may have been utilized and analyzed by African neighborhoods before the science of palaeontology became.
Bolahla rock shelter in Lesotho
Elliot and Clarens Formations in South Africa’s Eastern Cape– the exact same dinosaur-rich rock development as in Bolahla. (Image credit: Julien Benoit)
Among the highlights of our paper is the historical site of Bolahla, a Later Stone Age rock shelter in Lesotho. Numerous dating strategies suggest that the website was inhabited by the Khoesan and Basotho individuals from the 12th to 18th centuries (1100 to 1700 ADVERTISEMENT). The shelter itself is surrounded by hills made from combined sediments that were transferred under an extreme Sahara-like desert some 180 million to 200 million years earlier, when the very first dinosaurs wandered the Earth.
This part of Lesotho is especially popular for providing the typesMassospondylus carinatusa 4 to 6 meter, long-necked and small-headed dinosaur. Fossilized bones ofMassospondylusare plentiful in the location and were currently so when the website was inhabited by individuals in the Middle Ages.
In 1990,archaeologistsoperating at Bolahla found that a finger bone ofMassospondylusa fossil phalanx, had actually been carried to the cavern. There are no fossil skeletons protruding the walls of the cavern, so the only possibility that this phalanx wound up there was that somebody in the far-off past chose it up and brought it to the cavern. Possibly this individual did so out of basic interest, or to turn it into a pendant or toy, or to utilize it for standard recovery routines.
After heavy rains, it is not uncommon that individuals in the location find the bones of extinct types that have actually been rinsed of their mother-rock. They generally recognize them as coming from a dragon-like beast that feasts on individuals and even entire homes. In Lesotho, the Basotho call the beast “Kholumolumo”, while in South Africa’s surrounding Eastern Cape province, the Xhosa describe it as”Amagongqongqo.
The precise date when the phalanx was gathered and transferred is regrettably lost to time. Provided the present understanding, it might have been at whenever of profession of the shelter from the 12th to 18th centuries. This exposes the possibility that this dinosaur bone might have been gathered as much as 500 years prior to Robert Plot’s discover.
Early understanding of extinct animals
A dinosaur footprint in the Clarens Formation near the South Africa-Lesotho border. (Image credit: Julien Benoit)
Many people understood about fossils well before the clinical period, for as far back as cumulative social memories can go. In Algeria, for instance, individuals described some dinosaur footprints as coming from the famous”Roc bird. In North America, cavern paintings illustrating dinosaur footprints were painted by theAnasazi individualsin between A.D. 1000 and 1200. Native Australians recognized dinosaur footprints as coming from a famous”Emu-man. In South America, the well-known conquistador Hernan Cortes was provided the fossil thigh of a mastodon by theAztecsin 1519. In Asia, Hindu individuals describe ammonites (coiled fossil-sea-shells) as”Shaligramsand have actually been worshipping them for more than 2,000 years.
Declaring credit
The truth that individuals in Africa have actually long learnt about fossils appears from folklore and the historical record, however we still have much to learn more about it. Unlike the individuals in Europe, the Americas and Asia, native African palaeontologists appear to have actually rarely utilized fossils for standard medication. We are still uncertain whether this is a truly special cultural characteristic shared by a lot of African cultures or if it is because of our undoubtedly still insufficient understanding.
Some rather popular fossil websites, such as the Moroccan Kem beds and South African UnescoCradle of Humankindcaverns, have actually still not supplied robust proof for native understanding. This is regrettable, as fossil-related customs might assist bridge the space in between regional neighborhoods and palaeontologists, which in turn might contribute maintaining crucial heritage websites.
By checking out native palaeontology in Africa, our group is assembling pieces of a forgotten past that provides credit back to regional neighborhoods. We hope it will motivate a brand-new generation of regional palaeoscientists to stroll in the steps of these very first African fossil hunters.
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Charles Helm was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1957. He finished with an MBChB at the University of Cape Town in 1981. He relocated to Canada in 1986, settled in Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia in 1992, has actually practiced there ever since as a family doctor, and is a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Following the discovery of Cretaceous dinosaur trackways near Tumbler Ridge by his eight-year-old boy and a buddy in 2000, he was an establishing member of the Tumbler Ridge Museum in 2002, and through this organisation he assisted develop a regional palaeontology research study centre, which specialises in ichnology. He has actually served on the museum board of directors as president, vice-president and secretary. He has actually made Cretaceous dinosaur trackway discoveries and Triassic fish and marine reptile discoveries. He led the drive for the effective classification of the Tumbler Ridge Unesco Global Geopark. He is the author of 9 books, among which is a book on dinosaurs for kids.
He has actually used the palaeontological understanding he got in Canada to his native South Africa given that 2007, recording the wealth of Pleistocene fossil trackways that he and his research study group have actually found along a 350km stretch of shoreline, and has actually led research study publications on these findings. Discoveries consist of 4 hominin tracksites and proof that patterns made in sand by hominins are now protected in rock surface areas.
He is a research study connect with the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, where he is presently pursuing his PhD in the Department of Geoscience. He has actually assisted to leader the emerging discipline of geomythology in southern Africa. He has actually provided many talks on palaeontology, ichnology and geomythology to audiences in Canada and South Africa.
Peer evaluated earth science research study posts:
As lead author:
Helm, C.W., Anderson, R.J., Buckley, L.G., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C. 2017. Biofilm makes it possible for recognition of bird trackways in Late Pleistocene seaside aeolianites, South Africa. Palaeontologia Africana, 52:78– 84.
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., Cowling, R.M., De Vynck, J.C., Marean, C.W., McCrea, R.T., Rust, R. 2018. Palaeoecology of giraffe tracks in Late Pleistocene aeolianites on the Cape south coast. South African Journal of Science, 114( 1/2), 8 pages, Article number: 2017-0266. Online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2018/20170266
Helm, C.W., McCrea, R.T., Cawthra, H.C., Thesen, G.H.H., Mwankunda, J.M. 2018. Late Pleistocene trace fossils in the Goukamma Nature Reserve, Cape south coast, South Africa. Palaeontologia africana, 52, 89– 101.
Helm, C.W., McCrea, R.T., Cawthra, H.C., Cowling, R.M., Lockley, M.G., Marean, C.W., Thesen, G.H.H., Pigeon, T., Hattingh, S. 2018. A brand-new Pleistocene hominin tracksite from the Cape south coast, South Africa. Scientific Reports. Online at: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22059-5 (accessed 01 March 2018).
DOI: 10.1038/ s41598-018-22059-5
Helm, C.W., Benoit, J., Mayor, A., Cawthra, H.C., Penn-Clarke, C.R., Rust. R. 2019. Interest in geological and palaeontological interests by southern African non-western societies: An evaluation and point of views for future research study. Procedures of the Geologists’ Association. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2019.01.001
Helm, C.W., Lockley, M.G., Cole, K., Noakes, T.D., McCrea, R.T. 2019. Hominin tracks in southern Africa: An evaluation and a technique to recognition. Palaeontologia africana, 53, 81– 96.
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Lockley, M.G., McCrea, R.T., Venter, J. 2019.
The Pleistocene animals of the Cape south coast exposed through ichnology at 2 areas.
South African Journal of Science 115 (1/2), Art. # 5135. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/5135
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Helm, C.J.Z., Rust, R., Stear, W. 2019. Patterns in the sand: a Pleistocene hominin signature along the South African shoreline? Procedures of the Geologists’ Association 130( 6 ), 719– 740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2019.08.004
Helm. C.W., Klenke, P. 2019. On the Measurement of the Earth– New Approaches to our Planet’s Distinctive Shape. Cartographica.54( 3 ), 145– 192. https://doi.org/10.3138/cart.54.3.2018-0012
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., Combrink, X., Helm, C.J.Z., Rust, R., Stear, W., Van den Heever, A. 2020. Pleistocene big reptile tracks and possible swim traces on South Africa’s Cape south coast. South African Journal of Science 116( 3/4), Art. # 6542. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/6542
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., Cowling, R.M., De Vynck, J.C., Lockley, M.G., Marean, C.W., Thesen, G.H.H., Venter, J.A. 2020. Pleistocene vertebrate tracksites on the Cape south coast of South Africa and their prospective palaeoecological ramifications. In: Cleghorn, N., Potts, A.J., Cawthra, H.C. (Eds.), The Palaeo-Agulhas Plain: a lost world and extinct environment. Quaternary Science Reviews 235, 105857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2019.07.039
Helm, C.W., Lockley, M.G., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Helm, C.J.Z., Thesen, G.H.H. 2020. Big Pleistocene bird tracks on the Cape south coast of South Africa. Ostrich 91( 4 ), 275– 291.
https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1789772
Helm, C.W., Lockley, M.G., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Dixon, M.G., Helm, C.J.Z., Thesen, G.H.H. 2020. Recently recognized hominin trackways from the Cape south coast of South Africa. South African Journal of Science 116( 9/10), Art. # 8156. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/8156
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Dixon, M., Stear, W. 2021. Elephant tracks– a biogenic reason for holes in Pleistocene South African seaside rocks. Journal of Coastal Research 37( 1 ), 59– 74.
https://doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-20-00064.1
Helm, C.W., Lockley, M.G. 2021. Pleistocene reptile swim traces verified from South Africa’s Cape south coast. South African Journal of Science 117( 3/4), Art. # 8830. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2021/8830
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., Cowling, R.M., De Vynck, J.C., Lockley, M.G., Marean, C.W., Dixon, M.G., Helm, C.J.Z., Stear, W., Thesen, G.H.H., Venter, J.A. 2021. Securing and maintaining South African aeolianite surface areas from graffiti. Koedoe 63( 1 ), a1656. https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v63i1.1656
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Helm. C.J.Z., Rust, R., Stear, W. 2021. Big geometric patterns from the Middle Stone Age in aeolianites on the Cape south coast, South Africa. Rock Art Research 38( 1 ), 10– 22.
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Helm. C.J.Z., Rust, R., Stear, W. 2021. Palaeoart on South Africa’s Cape south coast. South African Journal of Art History 35( 2 ), 53– 66.
Helm, C.W., Lockley, M.G., Moolman, L., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Dixon, M.G., Stear, W., Thesen, G.H.H. 2021. Morphology of Pleistocene elephant tracks on South Africa’s Cape south coast, and likely elephant trunk drag impressions. Quaternary Research. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2021.32
Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Hattingh, R., Lockley, M.G. 2022. Possible Pleistocene hominin tracks from South Africa’s west coast. South African Journal of Science 118( 1/2), Art. # 11842. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2022/11842
In press:
Helm, C.W., Carr, A.S., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Dixon, M., Stear, W., Stuart, C., Stuart, M., Venter, J.A. Possible Pleistocene pinniped ichnofossils on South Africa’s Cape south coast. Journal of Coastal Research.
Under evaluation:
Helm, C.W., Lockley, M.G., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, Dixon, M.G., Rust, R., Stear, W., Zipfel, B. Could people have made shoes in the Middle Stone Age?
As co-author:
Feldmann, R.M., Helm, C.W., Lawfild, A.M.W., Schweitzer, C.E. 2021. New Late Cretaceous palinurid (Decapoda: Achelata: Palinuridae) from northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie 299( 2 ), 149– 159. https://doi.org/10.1127/njgpa/2021/0961
Lockley, M.G., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Helm, C.W., McCrea, R.T., Nel, R. 2019. New fossil sea turtle trackway morphotypes from the Pleistocene of South Africa emphasize function of ichnology in turtle palaeobiology. Quaternary Research 92, 626– 640. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2019.40
Lockley, M.G., Abbassi, N., Helm, C/W. 2021. Big, unwebbed bird and bird‐like footprints from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic: an evaluation of ichnotaxonomy and trackmaker affinity. Lethaia 54( 5 ), 969– 987. https://doi.org/10.1111/let.12458
Lockley, M.G., Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Perrin, M.R. 2021. Pleistocene golden mole and ‘sand-swimming’ trace fossils from the Cape coast of South Africa. Quaternary Research 101, 169– 186. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2020.97
Lockley, M.G. Plint, A.G., Helm, C.W., Sharman, K.J., Vannelli, K.M. 2021. Crocodylian swim tracks from the Gates Formation (Albian), British Columbia, Canada: contrasts with Cretaceous crocodilian ichnology in western USA. Cretaceous Research 128, 104967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2021.104967
Lockley, M.G., Helm, C.W., Cawthra, H.C., De Vynck, J.C., Dixon, M.G., Venter, J.A. 2022. Pleistocene little mammal and arthropod trackways from the Cape south coast of South Africa. Quaternary Research, 1– 15. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2021.77
McCrea, R.T., Buckley, L.G., Currie, P.J., Plint, A.G., Helm, C.W., Haggart, J.W. 2014. An evaluation of vertebrate track-bearing developments from the Mesozoic and earliest Cenozoic of western Canada with a description of a brand-new theropod ichnospecies and reassignment of a bird ichnogenus. In Lockley, M.G. and S. Lucas (eds.), Tracking dinosaurs and other tetrapods in western North America. New Mexico Museum of Natural History Bulletin.
McCrea, R.T., Tanke, D.H., Buckley, L.G., Lockley, M.G., Farlow, J.O., Xing, L., Matthews, N.A., Helm, C.W., Pemberton, G., Breithaupt, B.H. 2015 Vertebrate Ichnopathology: Pathologies Inferred from Dinosaur Tracks and Trackways from the Mesozoic. Ichnos, 22:3 -4, 235-260.
Plint, A.G., Charles W. Helm, C.W., Lockley, M.G. 2022. Crocodylian and dinosaur trace fossil assemblages from crevasse splay/levee and floodplain lake environments: middle Cenomanian Dunvegan Formation, northeast British Columbia, Canada. Historic Biology. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2043294
In addition he has actually authored 36 peer-reviewed publications in the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine (readily available on demand).
Awards
Awards that relate straight or indirectly to palaeontology consist of:
– Rene Savenye Award (2011) from the British Columbia Paleontological Alliance, in acknowledgment of contributions to British Columbia palaeontology
– In 2013 a recently explained genus of fossil marine reptile, Gulosaurus, was designated the types name helmi in acknowledgment of his contributions to the discovery and research study of Triassic fish and reptile fossils.
– Honorary Degree in Arts, Northern Lights College, British Columbia (2015)
– Best Speaker Award, 2nd International Conference on Continental Ichnology, Nuy, South Africa (2017 ).
He has actually likewise gotten awards for postgraduate mentor from the University of British Columbia Department of Family Practice, the Walter Smith Visionary Award in acknowledgment of contribution to tourist development in northern British Columbia, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (2016 ), the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002 ), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012 ), and the Rural Family Physician of the Year Award (2016) from the British Columbia College of Family Physicians.
