Permits

For excavation and sampling of Cretaceous crater lake deposits on the farm Stomp Oor 109 near Marydale, Northern Cape Province

Conditions:

1. This permit is issued to Dr Roger Smith (Iziko Museums of South Africa).

2. If the permit holder is not to be present on the site at all times then SAHRA must be provided with the names and qualifications of the authorised representatives.

3. Excavation activities will include excavation of several 5mx5m pits through the recent Kalahari sand to the level of the top of the fossil bearing strata (variably 3-12m). Some of the removal of the Kalahari Sands overburden will be done using heavy machinery. A Chance Finds Procedure must be in place and be adhered to during removal of the Kalahari Sands in case fossils are encountered. A site map must be created and a total station must be used to record the finds.

4. To ensure the safety of the excavators, excavation pits deeper than 1.5m must be stepped or suitable PPE must be used.

5. Adequate recording methods as specified in the Regulations and Guidelines pertaining to the National Heritage Resources Act must be employed. Note that the position of all excavations and objects collected must be marked on a plan of the site. Materials will be bagged per quadrant and labeled carefully.

6. A standard site record form must be lodged with the Iziko Museums of South Africa.

7. All material collected and excavated, as well as field notes and records, will be curated by the Iziko Museums of South Africa, who will be responsible for the permanent curation and safekeeping of all material in a condition that allows ongoing research.

8. Annual permit reports on the results of the excavations and analyses must be emailed to apmpermitreports@sahra.org.za on or before 31 October 2022 and 2023, and a final permit report on or before 31 October 2024 using the template in the following link: https://sahris.sahra.org.za/content/apmpermitreports. SAHRA reserves the right to withhold further permits if progress is not deemed satisfactory. Permit reports can be made available to researchers on request within three years of the lapsing of this permit.

9. Reprints of all published papers or copies of theses and/or reports resulting from this work must be lodged with SAHRA.

10. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to obtain permission from the landowner for each visit, and the excavator is responsible for ensuring that he or she has an understanding with the landowner concerning: the number of visitors and workers; conditions for camping on the property; speed limits on access roads; possible prohibitions on off-road driving; size, type and number of vehicles permitted; possible prohibitions on trespassing beyond the site; disturbing fauna, flora or substrate; erection and demolition of structures on the site; appropriate hours of visiting and working on the site; use of firewood, electricity and water; lighting fires and the prevention of uncontrolled fires and any fencing necessary to protect livestock. Conditions of access imposed by the landowner must be observed.

11. The permitted excavator shall be responsible for the activities and impacts of all colleagues, students and employees under his or her supervision.

12. Excavators must take measures to ensure the safety of any person who may enter the excavation site as part of their excavation team or as their visitor.

13. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to protect sites during and after excavation and to ensure that, where appropriate, excavations are filled in or stabilised with adequate materials (e.g. Loffelstein blocks or army bags in geotextile) to the satisfaction of SAHRA and the landowner.

14. SAHRA shall not be liable for any losses, damages or injuries to persons or properties as a result of any activities in connection with this permit.

15. SAHRA reserves the right to cancel this permit by notice to the permit holder.

16. This permit is subject to a general appeal and may be suspended should an appeal against the decisions be received by SAHRA within 14 days from the date of the permit. SAHRA may not be held responsible for any costs or losses incurred in the event of the suspension or retraction of this permit.

17. This permit does not exempt the permit holder from obtaining the necessary permissions from other government authorities.

18. Request to renew permits must be done at least two months prior to the expiry of the existing permit.