Lazarus Kgasi's Journey in Paleontology

Lazarus Kgasi, a Black South African, has become a prominent junior curator at the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History. His rise is particularly noteworthy as paleontology has historically been dominated by white researchers. At 52, Kgasi works at the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage site, a location rich with early hominid fossils.

Uncredited Beginnings

Kgasi's career began in 2000 as a fossil digger at the Cradle of Humankind. This work often involved Black men unearthing fossils for white researchers, who then took sole credit for the discoveries. This practice, originating during apartheid, continued even after 1994.

For months, Kgasi dug without understanding the significance of his work, having not been educated on human evolution.

Developing as a Scientist

After approximately two years, Kgasi began to inquire about the fossils he was finding. American and European researchers provided explanations, sparking his interest and leading them to recognize his potential.

His engagement resulted in increased responsibilities, including managing field sites and conducting preliminary fossil identifications. Kgasi subsequently began his own research. His current focus is on uncovering the remains of animals that co-existed with early hominids. He aims to understand the ancient environments our ancestors inhabited, emphasizing that "studying hominids alone does not provide a complete picture without considering other extinct animals."

Significant Discoveries

Over his career, Kgasi has contributed significantly to a broader understanding of the region's ancient fauna. His discoveries include bones from frogs, monkeys, birds, and notably, the first fossil snake fang found in the Cradle of Humankind.

One of his most notable finds occurred in 2015: a nearly complete skeleton of Panthera shawi, a giant prehistoric cat. This specimen, found in a cave, significantly expanded knowledge of the species, which had previously been known only from a single tooth discovered in the late 1940s. Kgasi later found an adult female and six cubs of the same species, further enriching the scientific record.

Recognition and Mentorship

Kgasi's work has earned him widespread respect within the paleontological community. Justin Adams, a vertebrate paleontologist at Monash University, describes Kgasi as a "genuine paleontologist" and highlights his intrinsic understanding of significant finds. Adams credits Kgasi with processing the first articulated skeleton of an extinct hyena found in Africa.

Despite lacking formal university education, Kgasi dedicates time to mentoring young people and graduate students, encouraging them to pursue paleontology. He makes discoveries accessible by speaking in Setswana, a local language, and mentors students such as Boitshepo Motsodisa, a Ph.D. candidate in paleontology. Kgasi emphasizes that:

The fossils belong to all South Africans.