FACT
A brief video about
Maropeng and what
you can do there.
We can rightly be
proud of this world
class centre!
See video:
SHORTCODEat
http://www.everythingscience.co.zaGroup discussion: How do manage the impact of humans on the planet?The table above presents the various human activities that have impacted on the environment
and on biodiversity. In groups, discuss possible methods by which the impacts listed above
could be reduced. How can we reduce the impact humans have on the environment? After
your discussion, re-draw the table and add a third column to the right listing these different
ways you have discussed among yourselves.11.6 Fossil tourism
Given the intense interest humans have in their origins and the deep knowledge of our past
that fossils provide us with, fossil tourism is an important source of income and employment
in areas in which fossils are located.
Figure 11.15: Fossil skull in Karoo National Park, South Africa.South Africa has a number of sites rich in fossil, which attract tourists. TheCradle of Hu-
mankindin the Krugersdorp area of Gauteng (i.e. Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and
surrounding area) has been declared a World Heritage Site, since it has yielded so many
significant fossils, such as Mrs Ples, Little Foot and the recently discovered Karabo Child
(2008). There is a tourist centre at Maropeng near this site (”Maropeng” is the Tswana word
for ”origins”).
Many other areas in South Africa also attract tourists due to their rich fossil deposits, such as
Langebaan, Border Cave and the Karroo area.
Many South Africans can find jobs in such tourist areas. They can work as tour guides, hotel
staff, game rangers, drivers, curio sellers and the like. It is important also that the local
people see the tourist site as a potential source of income and employment, not merely as
something academic that has nothing to do with them.
11.7 Summary
- Scientists use deductive reasoning to understand fossils and the history of life on Earth.
- Geological events often caused changes in climate, which in turn influence the emer-
gence and disappearance of species.
Chapter 11. History of Life on Earth 335