PAST - About PAST

WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO IN 1994

PAST was established in 1994 for the specific initial purpose of assisting the University of the Witwatersrand to secure the future of palaeo-anthropological research and to prevent the shutdown of excavation and research at the renowned Sterkfontein Caves site.

Our original mission statement focused on raising funds from South African and international donors for the following purposes:

To initiate, support and guide palaeo-anthropological projects in South Africa.
To support the training of students in the study of palaeo-anthropology through scholarships, bursaries and grants.
To assist and promote the education of the public, particularly school-going children, about their palaeo-anthropological heritage.
To develop, preserve and protect South African homind sites to facilitate archaeo-tourism and assist in attracting South Africans and international tourists to these sites.

WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 10 YEARS

PAST succeeded in keeping excavations at Sterkfontein active and this ultimately led to the discovery of 'Little Foot', the oldest, most complete skeleton of out ancient forebears in the world! We were also instrumental in the nomination of the Cradle of Humankind as one of South Africa's first World Heritage Sites.

Support is currently being given to worthy projects at tertiary and secondary institutions and museums throughout South Africa. Over R18 million in funds has been raised and disbursed by the trustees and staff of PAST.

HOW THIS WAS DONE

Understandably, in the first five years, money raised by PAST went very largely to students and projects at the University of the Witwatersrand but, in the last few years, the Trustees have widened the scope of PAST beyond the confines of palaeo-anthropology to embrace the wider field of palaeontology, extending much further back in time. Institutions other than the University of the Witwatersrand are now included.

We now support students and projects across South Africa including projects at the University of Cape Town, Iziko Museums, Albany Museum, University of the Free State, Northern Flagship Institution and the Natal Museum.




	WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO IN 1994 PAST was established in 1994 for the specific initial purpose of assisting the University of the Witwatersrand to secure the future of palaeo-anthropological research and to prevent the shutdown of excavation and research at the renowned Sterkfontein Caves site. Our original mission statement focused on raising funds from South African and international donors for the following purposes: To initiate, support and guide palaeo-anthropological projects in South Africa. To support the training of students in the study of palaeo-anthropology through scholarships, bursaries and grants. To assist and promote the education of the public, particularly school-going children, about their palaeo-anthropological heritage. To develop, preserve and protect South African homind sites to facilitate archaeo-tourism and assist in attracting South Africans and international tourists to these sites. WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 10 YEARS PAST succeeded in keeping excavations at Sterkfontein active and this ultimately led to the discovery of 'Little Foot', the oldest, most complete skeleton of out ancient forebears in the world! We were also instrumental in the nomination of the Cradle of Humankind as one of South Africa's first World Heritage Sites. Support is currently being given to worthy projects at tertiary and secondary institutions and museums throughout South Africa. Over R18 million in funds has been raised and disbursed by the trustees and staff of PAST. HOW THIS WAS DONE Understandably, in the first five years, money raised by PAST went very largely to students and projects at the University of the Witwatersrand but, in the last few years, the Trustees have widened the scope of PAST beyond the confines of palaeo-anthropology to embrace the wider field of palaeontology, extending much further back in time. Institutions other than the University of the Witwatersrand are now included. We now support students and projects across South Africa including projects at the University of Cape Town, Iziko Museums, Albany Museum, University of the Free State, Northern Flagship Institution and the Natal Museum.