The Karoo Origins Fossil Centre in Graaff-Reinet is a treasure trove of ancient life, showcasing the diverse creatures that roamed the Karoo 255 million years ago. From ferocious gorgonopsians to peculiar diictodons, the centre brings to life a world long gone. This article delves into the fascinating story of how this fossil collection came to be, and the man behind it, Distinguished Professor Bruce Rubidge.
Bruce's connection to the Karoo and its fossils began with his grandfather, Sidney, and his aunt, Peggy. In 1934, Peggy asked her father about fossils, and Sidney, inspired by this curiosity, took her on a picnic to find one. They discovered a gorgonopsian skull, which turned out to be a significant find. This sparked Sidney's passion for fossils, and he began collecting them, even offering to pay for them from Croonie Kitching, a local road overseer.
Bruce, born into this world of fossils, was captivated from a young age. He found his first 'fossil' at three years old, a piece of concrete he mistook for a real fossil. This early interest led him to pursue a BSc in zoology and geology at Stellenbosch University, where he developed his 'fossil eyes' for recognizing promising sedimentary layers and spotting fossil bone. Bruce's talent for fossil finding was further honed through collaboration with others, including Dr. Roger Smith and the late John Nyaphuli, a fossil preparator from Bloemfontein.
Bruce's career took off when he became head of the Palaeontology Department at the National Museum in Bloemfontein at just 24 years old. He then joined the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) as director of the Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research (BPI), expanding it into the Wits' Evolutionary Studies Institute. Bruce's passion for the Karoo and its fossils led him to establish the Karoo Origins Fossil Centre, a research, education, and display centre in Graaff-Reinet. This centre not only showcases Sidney's world-class collection but also serves as an active palaeontological research centre with a collaborative agreement with Wits University.
The centre's success is largely due to the efforts of Bruce and his wife, Marina, who have moved to Graaff-Reinet permanently. They worked with sculptor Colin Payne to recreate a believable ancient world, using his 3D animation skills to bring the Permian waterhole display to life. The Karoo Origins Fossil Centre is an invaluable asset for both tourism and science, attracting local and international scientists and fostering research on the Karoo's rich geological and fossil heritage.
Bruce's dedication to the Karoo and its fossils is a testament to his lifelong fascination with the ancient world. As he retires from Wits at the end of 2025, his legacy will continue through the Karoo Origins Fossil Centre, ensuring that the remarkable creatures of the Karoo will be discovered and appreciated for generations to come.
/file/attachments/orphans/ProfessorRubidgewiththehorse-headsizedfossilthatturnedouttobeaGorgonopsianpredator255millionyearsago_ChrisMarais_201729.jpg)
