Heritage Cases

Relatively little systematic palaeontological prospecting and collecting has previously been undertaken in the lowermost Beaufort Group Rocks (Normandien Formation) in the distal (northern) part of the Main Karoo Basin, especially when compared to the proximal (southern) parts. As such, our understanding of the biostratigraphy is limited, based on many assumptions derived from a small database of vertebrate fossils (Groenewald 1989; Van der Walt et al. 2010). We would like to undertake geological and palaeontological studies in the Normandien Formation in KwaZulu-Natal in order to collect fossils that can be used for refining the Late Permian biostratigraphy of the lower Beaufort Group. This will form part of the most intensive palaeontological study in the distal lower Beaufort Group to date. The results from our research could greatly improve our understanding of Beaufort Group deposition, have significant implications for basin development models of the Main Karoo Basin, and have global biostratigraphic significance. Considering the exploratory nature of the study, as well as the large area that will be covered, it is unfeasible to apply for a specific site permit. We are thus applying for a permit allowing collection of palaeontological resources from the Normandien Formation in KwaZulu-Natal. All collected fossils will be accessioned and curated at the Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand. This project forms part of the larger project of the Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI) to refine Beaufort Group biostratigraphy in the Karoo basin (e.g. Rubidge 1995; Van der Walt et al. 2010) in order to better understand drivers of Permo‐Triassic biodiversity change.