Fossils

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Fossils 

The fossil sites along the West Coast offer a fascinating glimpse into our distant past.  The fossils at Langebaanweg is the West Coast Fossil Park accumulated mainly during a period of rising sea level and this site is well known for its rich mixture of land and marine fossils dating back to between 2 and 10 million years ago.  This is one of many sites uncovered, mostly as a result of mining, and they show how life and the climate have changed through time.  The fossil record, which includes plant remains and pollens, help reconstruct past vegetation types.  It shows how and when tropical forests have been replaced by subtropical savannah, grassland and dry desert. One can learn more about this fascinating story by visiting the Iziko Museum in Cape Town and the West Coast Fossil Park at Langebaanweg.

 West Coast Fossil Park (Iziko Museums), off R45 near Vredenburg

A public-private partnership between Bhpbilliton mining company and Iziko Museums of Cape Town.

Tel: 022 766 1606 Fax: 022 766 1765

General enquiries e-mail: wcfp@iziko.org.za

Manager e-mail: pippah@iafrica.com

Opening times: Mon to Fri: 09h00 to 16h00

Sat & Sun: 09h00 to 13h00

Main Tours (one and half hours) from Monday to Sunday at 11h30.

Half hour tours also available every day during opening hours.