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Africa is where the story of human life begins - where we have uncovered and explored the roots of our ancient family tree and gained a fresh understanding of our origins and our ancestors. The branches of this tree of life have spread across the world. As a species we are diverse, colourful... we speak many different languages. But we all have one thing in common: we all have a common heritage, one common ancestral home - Mother Africa.

PAST and Scatterlings of Africa Endorsements
"Scatterlings of Africa is the newest, bold and visionary undertaking of PAST and it signifies the expansion of the PAST mission across Africa. The research of the past 100 years has shown us that any quest for the origin and early evolution of humankind must be pan-African in context and scope. The plan to spread the message of PAST to every corner of Africa enjoys my enthusiastic support." Prof. Emer. Phillip V. Tobias FRS Chief Scientific Patron
"The only thing that divides us is in our heads." PAST's Scatterlings of Africa and its integration of education, research and public outreach fulfil a critical function by utilising Africa's rich fossil heritage to enhance African dignity and promote the continent as the hub of for African Origin Sciences. Jay Naidoo

‘Scatterlings of Africa’ is new, creative, and bold concept within PAST for promotion of palaeoscience in Africa today and in the future. We in eastern Africa have immensely benefited through generous support from PAST and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with ‘Scatterlings of Africa’ in promotion of paleoscience within our mother continent.  I do salute the Paleontological Scientific Trust  CEO, Ms Andrea Leenen, and Dr Robert Blumenschine the Chief Scientific Strategist, for their diligence and passion in promotion of palaeoscience in Africa and beyond. Dr Emma Mbua Senior Research Scientist in Palaeoanthropology National Museums of Kenya & Staunch supporter of Scatterlings of Africa

Frederick Manthi

 I highly commend PAST and the Scatterlings of Africa Initiative for playing a very important role in supporting not only prehistory research in Africa but also investigations aimed at understanding dynamics in modern ecosystems.
Fredrick Kyalo Manthi (PhD), Senior Research Scientist, Department of Earth Sciences, National Museums of Kenya; a long-term recipient of support from PAST in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
"After a decade of having received support and being associated with PAST I have had the privilege of being involved in the initial discussions of the Scatterlings Project. This project that PAST has embarked on is an ambitious strategy to coordinate the raising and distribution of the limited funds to the palaeosciences, particularly in Africa. This concept is based on years of experience in understanding the needs of the palaeo-community and a passion for the science. Key to this success is Andrea Leenen, the CEO of PAST, who has worked tirelessly to the benefit of many graduate students as well as established scientists. More recently, she has been joined by Robert Blumenschine, Chief Scientific Strategist for the PAST. The South African, as well as international palaeosciences community is very fortunate to have such a dynamic team head up the Scatterlings Project, and I have no doubt that the next few years will yield some exciting changes to the benefit of the palaeosciences and science in general." Dr. Bernhard Zipfel Founding Scientist, Scatterlings of Africa

“Since 1963, I have been directly involved in palaeoanthropological research in East Africa, and since 1969 in South Africa as well. Thus I know very well the value of a pan-African approach to the study of human origins. As a founder member of Scatterlings, which is performing an essential function in funding both research and public outreach, I give my full support to this endeavour.” Prof. Ron Clarke Founding Scientist, Scatterlings of Africa
GET CURIOUS ABOUT ORIGIN SCIENCES
What are fossils? Fossils are the remains of plants and animals that have turned to rock and been preserved in the earth's crust. Like Africa's rich deposits of gold and minerals, these precious remnants of prehistoric times give us fascinating glimpses into ancient life. Fossils of our human ancestors are especially rare, like fine diamonds, and tell the story of humankind's origin in Africa and subsequent spread to the rest of the globe.
Working with fossils - not just old bones! PAST is committed to building a new generation of African scientists and technicians who will help develop and manage the continent's rich heritage. There are hundreds of exciting career opportunities in the origin sciences, from cutting-edge careers in fields ranging from genetics to morphometrics to exploration in the world's most remote places - to curating museum collections, excavating rare fossils and guiding tourists at origin sites.
How old are humans? The earliest members of the human family tree are found only in Africa. All human ancestor fossil sites dating back to between two and six million years ago are found only on this continent. Even the very first members of our own species, Homo sapiens, originated in Africa approximately 200 000 years ago.
The Taung Child The Taung Child (Australopithecus africanus) was the first fossil of an ancient human ancestor that was discovered in Africa - ultimately leading to universal realisation that our continent was the cradle of humankind, placing Africa firmly at the centre of humankind's evolutionary journey.
 
Iconic African Fossil Sites

From the limestone caves of South Africa to the vast fossil deposits of East Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Africa preserves the longest, most continuous record of life on earth – including the richest record of human evolution as exemplified by finds from four of Africa’s most iconic World Heritage fossil sites:

Sterkfontein (South Africa)

This World Heritage Site includes the fossil hominid sites of Sterkfontein,Swartkrans, Kromdraai and environs, and the Makapan Valley and Taung Skull Fossil Site. The area has provided rich fossil evidence about the evolution of modern humans over the past 3.5 million years.
Afar Rift (Ethiopia)

Part of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, the Afar Rift is one of the world’s richest fossil sites, yielding over 10 000 vertebrate fossils as well as thousands of plant fossils.
Turkana Basin (Kenya)

The Turkana Basin has yielded thousands of important plant and animal fossils, including those of ancestral human forms. The basin is part of Africa's Great Rift Valley.
Olduvai-Serengeti (Tanzania)

The Olduvai Gorge is one of the world’s most important origin sciences sites. Situated on the eastern Serengeti plains, scientists have been excavating fossils in this area since 1931.

 









 




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If you would like more information on PAST please contact the CEO on andrea@pastafrica.co.za.

PAST reg. no. 508/95 Palaeosciences Centre University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa P O Box 203 Parklands 2121 Johannesburg South Africa Tel: + 27 (0) 11 717 6668 or +27 (0) 11 717 6689 Fax: + 27 (0) 11 717 6688 Email: ann@pastafrica.co.za