Iziko South African Museum

Description

The Iziko South African Museum, founded in 1825, is one of the oldest museums in South Africa. The museum is best know for its archaeological delights, including fossils, meteorites, marine animals and human artefacts dating back as far as 60,000 years! The museum also backs onto its very own planetarium, which can recreate the African night sky over 26,000 years – past, present and future.

Location

The museum is perfectly located for those set on exploring the historic CBD of Cape Town. It flanks the Company's Garden on Queen Victoria Street, just behind Cape Town's Parliament Buildings.

Layout

The Iziko South African Museum is spread over four levels:

• The ground level is home to exhibitions of people (past and present) and fossil remains (including mammal like reptiles). The highlight on this level is a full whale skeleton, suspended in mid-air.
• Level 1 is home to the Iziko Planetarium, which organizes screenings and exhibitions on the wonders of the universe.
• Level 2 houses South African birds and mammals exhibits, along with other natural wonders.
• Level 3 exhibits a collection of Karoo fossils that date back as far as 250 Million years!