Learn to identify fossils with Dr Christine Steininger

January 23, 2012 – Linda Piegl and Bianca Bothma

Have you always dreamt of being a fossil hunter? Or spending time in a laboratory identifying new species? Now you have the opportunity to do this with palaeobiologist Dr Christine Steininger.

Steininger is looking for volunteers to assist her identify fossils from the Cooper’s Cave site in the Cradle of Humankind.

Cooper’s Cave is 1.4 to 1.5-million years old and Steininger, who is both the permit holder and the tour guide of the site, says it is unique in its abundance of diverse fauna (animals) contained in the fossil record.

“Around 1.8-million years ago, the climate changed, becoming cooler and drier. The resulting mosaic open woodland with abundant food resources and plenty of available water nearby created a perfect habitat for a range of different species,” she explains.

Volunteers will learn every step involved in the processing of fossils in a lab setting. They will learn how to:

• identify modern and fossil animal skeletal elements;
• prepare and clean specimens if necessary;
• number, catalogue, and data capture specimens on Microsoft Access;
• depending on the skills of the individual, they may even assist Steininger on her research project in running experiments and collecting scientific data for research. This may also include assisting with excavations.

To be part of this programme, volunteers need to be over the age of 18, self-motivated, able to work independently, have an eye for detail and basic computer skills.

Volunteer sessions will be on Saturdays starting on February 11 from 09h00 to 13h00. Meet at the University of the Witwatersrand, East Campus, in front of the Palaeosciences Building.

Contact Christine Steininger at . to be apart of this programme.

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