Transvaal Museum
Paul Kruger Street


SOUTH AFRICA

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Transvaal Museum - Palaeontology Research
South Africa

Dr J. Francis Thackeray 
Human Origins and Past Environments Research Theme (HOPE)

1. Use of CT scans (computed tomography) to study the internal anatomy of fossils.
2. To assess the transition from Australopithecus to Homo, using statistical analysis of anatomical data, including data from CT scans.
3. Excavation of fossils from Kromdraai and Swartkrans in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage area, to investigate changing biodiversity in the context of palaeoclimatic change in the Plio-Pleistocene.
4. Analysis of stable carbon isotope ratios from fossils in sites from sites in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage area, to assess palaeodiets and past environments.
5. Analysis of cave breccia associated with faunal material from Kromdraai Cave B, to explore the context of TM 1517, the type specimen of Paranthropus robustus and other fossils.
6. Analysis of magnetic orientation of cave breccia from Kromdraai Cave A and B.
7. Collection and analysis of fauna from Greensleeves and the Bolts Farm area adjacent the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
8. To contribute to efforts to develop information centres in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
9. To undertake research on data from various sources, to quantify relationships between environmental changes with faunal and/or floral data, with special regard to the impact of future climatic change on environments in South Africa.
10. To undertake research on stable carbon isotope ratios from a Late Permian and Early Triassic sequence in South Africa, with the objective of assessing local palaeoclimatic change in the context of global climatic change.