Prehistoric Gone Tactile

Contribution By: 

Aan De Doorns Guesthouse  

Since we’ve arrived in the valley not much time could be spend on establishing new friendships and linking into social groups. We have been busy settling in at Aan de Doorns Guesthouse with maintenance and gardening being the order of the day. 

Imagine my excitement when I was finally given the chance to join “Vroue sonder grense” (Woman without Boundaries), it sounded just like my cup of tea! These ladies are a social group that explore the goings on in Worcester and surrounding areas by meeting at different venues each time. 

This time we met at the Blind Spot; a theatre, conference venue and coffee shop. After a brief introduction to the venue and activities of the blind in Worcester we were taken on a tour….

A little known fact in Worcester is a unique fossil trail.What makes it different is that the fossils can be explorer with touch, opening the world of fossils to the blind and deaf blind people.

The late George van Heerden was the creator of this tactile fossil trail. With his love and passion for nature and history, he approached a team of experts with a project plan and facilitated the project till his passing in 2008. His wife, Anlo however, continued to manage and coordinate the project. 

The open air exhibition makes it an exceptional experience and the concrete exhibits serve as an excellent source of tactile information to blind and deaf blind people who have no other access to this unique resource. The fossil trail is situated in a safe environment wherein blind and deaf blind people as well as pupils and tourists can experience the exhibits at their own pace with trained guides. The fossil trail is an important concrete learning environment. Most of the fossils in this exhibition were donated by Dr Eddie van Dijk.

After the tour there was a little debate about theories of mankind’s origin and I was intrigued by the different opinions old school and “new age”. The experience had me wonder, just how short a time we as Homo erectus in prehistoric terms have lived on this planet and the incredibly devastating impact we’ve had. I will strongly advise any visitors to make an effort to go see this incredible exhibition and learn more about our prehistoric and geological heritage in a tactile environment.