WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO

PAST, the Palaeontological Scientific Trust, is a Johannesburg-based public benefit organisation that champions Africa's ancient natural and cultural heritage. We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of this heritage for the benefit of Africans and humankind in its entirety.

Established in 1994, PAST has become the hub of "origin sciences" in Africa. PAST sponsors research undertaken at South Africa's World Heritage-listed Sterkfontein Caves, as well as other major research sites on the continent. We are also the only African-based organisation that brings together government, business, the scientific community and civil society to raise awareness and provide funding support for education and research in origin sciences, which include archaeology, palaeontology and palaeo-anthropology.

PAST's objectives are to ignite interest in Africa's heritage at primary and secondary school levels, to grow capacity for African post-graduate students, scientists and technicians to manage and develop African origin sciences, and to promote the importance of origin sciences to Africa and the world.

PAST supports seven programmes within the areas of Research, Education and Public Understanding. For more information on PAST's Scatterlings of Africa programmes please click here: Scatterlings of Africa Programmes