Joburg Zoo artefacts to be homed at UJ
JOBURG – The discovery of artefacts and animal remains which were found during excavations led to a halt to the construction of a multi-storey parking garage for visitors to the Joburg Zoo.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo general manager for stakeholder and public relations management, Jenny Moodley, revealed that the construction had been placed on hold until a permit to continue work can be secured. Moodley said City Parks and the Zoo anticipated that the permit to continue demolishing the site of the discovery for the construction of the parking area will be secured within the next six to eight weeks.
Read BREAKING NEWS: Bones found buried at Joburg Zoo (Video)
“This is as a result of a discovery of artefacts and animal remains that were found during excavations which commenced in July this year. The find created much excitement from local archaeologists who are working to speedily document and date the find,” Moodley said.
She also stated that the Zoo and Zoo Lake area was a bequest to the City by the Hermann Eckstein family who used the site to grow timber for the mining industry.
Moodley said, “The area of the find within the Joburg Zoo, which turns 111 years this year, was probably used as a waste disposal site which was during the height of the gold mining era in the City of Joburg.”
Following the discovery, City Parks and the Zoo ensured that the area was cordoned off and all work ceased to enable the find to be catalogued. The University of Johannesburg will be the new home of the artefacts which will be showcased in its museum.
Moodley added that this discovery has impacted on the timelines for the completion of the parking garage at the Zoo which will be compounded by the seasonal rains.
“Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo are, however, committed to also conserving and documenting the rich history of Joburg for the advancement of our future,” she said.
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