Geology's Significant Sites and their Contributions to Geoheritage
CONTAINS OPEN ACCESS

This volume samples global geoheritage locales that impacted the history of geological understanding. From internationally celebrated sites to sacred indigenous areas, contributing authors celebrate a rich geological history and the preservation of Earth's geodiversity – providing cautionary tales of exceptional sites that were almost lost to future generations.
Indigenous knowledge of palaeontology in Africa Available to Purchase
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Published:July 12, 2024
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CiteCitation
Julien Benoit, Cameron R. Penn-Clarke, Renée Rust, David P. Groenewald, Patricia Vickers-Rich, Charles W. Helm, 2024. "Indigenous knowledge of palaeontology in Africa", Geology's Significant Sites and their Contributions to Geoheritage, R. M. Clary, E. J. Pyle, W. M. Andrews
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Abstract
Compared to other continents, the study of indigenous (non-western) knowledge of palaeontology in Africa is a relatively new field. The literature reviewed here nevertheless suggests a long-lasting string of traditions, geomyths and folklore related to fossilized items on the whole continent and encompassing many African cultures. It is often difficult to estimate the antiquity of these traditions, but the evidence gathered here suggests that they range from the 1800s to pre-colonial times, and up to many millennia. Palaeontological items were collected and used for a variety of reasons, but the African record seems unusual for its scarce use of fossils for traditional medicine. Also, despite substantial efforts, some famous localities with conspicuous fossils still remain without any documented indigenous knowledge. We stress that documenting fossil-related folklore and geomyths is not only a matter of preserving this knowledge or promoting diversity, but is also crucial for establishing strong bonds with local stakeholders to encourage preservation of geoheritage and discover new sites.
- Africa
- archaeological sites
- archaeology
- art
- artifacts
- Carboniferous
- caves
- Cenozoic
- Cretaceous
- East Africa
- Ediacaran
- Egypt
- fossil localities
- fossils
- geologic sites
- Jurassic
- Karoo Supergroup
- KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
- Mesozoic
- Nama Group
- Namibia
- Neogene
- Neoproterozoic
- North Africa
- Ordovician
- paleontology
- Paleozoic
- Permian
- Pliocene
- Precambrian
- preservation
- Proterozoic
- public awareness
- South Africa
- Southern Africa
- Tanzania
- Tertiary
- tracks
- upper Precambrian
- Western Cape Province South Africa
- Natal Group
- mythology
- Cederberg Mountains
- indigenous knowledge
- geoheritage sites
- Mokhali Cave