DRIMOLEN HUMAN ORIGINS PROJECT University of Victoria-University of Johannesburg June 2-23, 2014 DRIMOLEN The site of Drimolen was discovered in 1992 near Swartkrans and Sterkfontein in the Cradle of Humankind, 40 km outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is one of the richest fossil hominin sites in southern Africa, having produced over 100 hominin fossils representing Paranthropus robustus and early Homo. The Drimolen fossil site is unique in that has produced some of the youngest infant hominin fossils ever discovered in Africa. The site dates to approximately 1.5 million years ago and is incredibly rich in primate fossils. Fossil hominins have been recovered during most field seasons. COURSE CREDITS Students will receive credit for ANTH 343 A01: Archaeological Field Techniques (please note University of Victoria students who have already taken this course can arrange to take ANTH 395 A01: Paleoanthropological Field Techniques; please contact Dr. Kurki for details) and ANTH 344 A01: Regional Topics in Archaeology: South Africa for a total of 3.0 credits. This is the equivalent of 6 credit hours in the US system. Syllabi for these courses will be available for download from our website in February 2014. Under the direction of Dr. Colin Menter, students registered for these courses will excavate at the site, receive training in excavation, surveying/mapping, recording and laboratory techniques. They will also attend lectures given by Dr. Menter and Dr. Kurki and will visit important human origins sites (please see below). ACCOMODATIONS AND AMENITIES We will be staying at the Ngomo Safari Lodge in the luxury safari camp. This is a tented safari camp that has all the modern conveniences. Each tent sleeps four people each and has electricity, a hot shower and a flush toilet. The safari camp lodge has a large common area with electricity and a fireplace. In addition, there is a large industrial kitchen as well as a laundry room with washer and dryer. http://www.ngomolodge.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&I temid=29 FOOD All meals are included and vegetarians can be accommodated. Students wishing vegetarian meals should inform Dr. Kurki of this in advance. FIELDTRIPS As part of ANTH 344, we will be visiting fossil hominin sites in the Cradle of Humankind (a World Heritage Site http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/915). These sites include Sterkfontein and Swartkrans. We will also be visiting the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria to look at the original fossil hominins from Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai. We will also be visiting the University of Witswatersrand’s Medical School for an original fossil demonstration from sites such as Taung, Sterkfontein, Makapansgat and Drimolen. Students will also partake in a wildlife safari at Pilanesberg Game Reserve http://www.pilanesberg- game-reserve.co.za/ COST The field school fee of $3700 is ADDITIONAL TO the cost of mandatory registration in ANTH 343 A02 & ANTH 344 A02 courses (approximately $1000 for Canadian students; international students should consult the Office of the Registrar’s website for registration information http://registrar.uvic.ca/safa/annual- costs.html) for a total cost of approximately $4700 for Canadian students. The field school fee includes: accommodation, fieldtrips, transportation within South Africa (including to and from the Johannesburg airport), and food for the duration of the field school. Airfare to Johannesburg, South Africa is NOT INCLUDED in this price and students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements but they are welcome to travel with Dr. Kurki who will be leaving from Victoria, BC, please contact her for more information. IMPORTANT DATES: February 7, 2014 Application and waiver forms returned to Department of Anthropology. These forms are on the department’s web site Field Schools page. February 14, 2014 Applicants notified of acceptance March 17, 2014: $2775.00 due (refundable only if the field school is cancelled). * April 15, 2014: balance of $925.00 due (refundable only if the field school is cancelled). * *Payments are to be made out to the Department of Anthropology. Cheque, money orders and VISA/MC will be accepted.* June 2nd, 2014 Arrival date and course begins at Drimolen. June 23rd, 2014 Course ends. NOTE: Assignments may be due after this date, see syllabus for details. Note: Students who wish to stay on in South Africa after the field school ends are responsible for their own accommodation, travel, health and safety. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS EXCITING OPPORTUNITY: Dr. Helen Kurki Department of Anthropology University of Victoria 250 721 7045 [email protected] http://anthropology.uvic.ca/ .