Posted on August 23rd, 2010 by Ruth
The Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre tells the story of life in South Africa 253 million years ago during the Permian Period. With all of these wonderful fossils it is not surprising that many palaeontologists were born and bred in the area.
This centre is named after the internationally renowned palaeontologist, James Kitching who grew up in Nieu-Bethesda. He became internationally renowned for his ability to discover fossils and he later became professor in palaeontology at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Visitors to the Fossil Exploration Centre go on a short guided tour to nearby fossil-bearing rocks. The Centre has life-sized models of prehistoric animals which once lived in the Karoo as well as paintings by the artist Gerhard Marx depicting a time of no grasses or animal life. A laboratoy demonstates how fossils are prepared.
Contact Details:
Tel: +27 11 717 6682
Mobile: +27 84 500 3902
Email: witsgeoutreach@gmail.com
Websie: www.openafrica.org
This posting about The Kitching Fossil Exploration Centre was sponsored by i Lead Online South Africa. Should you wish to advertise on this website contact i Lead Online: info@etraffic.co.za. Visit www.ileadwebsites.co.za for more online directories such as this one.
Filed under: Eastern Cape, Graaff Reinet, Graaff Reinet Attractions, museums | No Comments »
Posted on August 23rd, 2010 by Ruth
Nieu-Bethesda is set in a fertile valley of the Sneeuberg Mountains, and the Owl House has contributed to it being a tourist attraction that offers guest-houses, restaurants, coffee shops, a pub, and art galleries.
As Helen Martins lay ill in bed one night considering her dull life, she resolved to bring some light and colour into it, and what began as a quest for light and colour soon developed into a fascination and obsession with the interplay of reflection, space, light and dark and different hues.
Over a period of about twelve years, she and Koos Malgas created from her imaginings the hundreds of sculptures that are found in ‘Camel Yard’. Her favourite animals – owls and camels – predominate the fantastical figures, and even the arched entranceway from the street is watched over by a double-faced owl.
Helen Martin’s wish was that her creations would be preserved as a museum. Today her artwork, once ridiculed by the villagers, has become one of the most importants drawcards to the village of Nieu-Bethesda.
Contact Details:
The Owl House
Telefax: (049) 8411733
Email: theowlhouse@mweb.co.za
Wesite: www.owlhouse.co.za
Owl House Foundation
P.O.Box 7
Nieu-Bethesda
6286
This posting about The Owl House was sponsored by i Lead Online South Africa. Should you wish to advertise on this website contact i Lead Online: info@etraffic.co.za. Visit www.ileadwebsites.co.za for more online directories such as this one.
Filed under: Eastern Cape, Graaff Reinet, Graaff Reinet Attractions, museums | No Comments »
