James William Kitching (1922-2003): a tribute

摘要: ON 24 DECEMBER 2003, JAMES WILLIAM KITCHING, REGARDED by many as one of the world’s greatest fossil finders, died at his home in Johannesburg. His passing marks end a pioneering era palaeontological giants South Africa. James Kitching was born on 6 February 1922 Graaff-Reinet, heart world-famous Karoo. At very early age he inducted into fundamentals field palaeontology when went with father and younger brothers collecting fossils for legendary Dr Robert Broom mountains around village Nieu Bethesda, where grew up. He found first six, only year later what turned out to be holotype specimen, which named Youngopsis kitchingi honour. It new species present science over next seven decades more. When 1940s presented lecture University Witwatersrand decrying loss country’s rich heritage erosion, struck receptive chord particular member audience, financier Bernard Price. Price responded an offer funds establish unit University, culminated establishment Institute Palaeontological Research (BPI) 1945. it sought candidates its staff appointment, had no hesitation recommending stripling fossil-finder from Karoo, Kitching. just been demobilized active service Italy World War II started work Wits – that time BPI 26 October Within weeks off trip, back Graaff-Reinet district grown up knew so well. Today there are few places Karoo have not felt tread Kitching’s boots search fossils. In process spent years away home, walked thousands kilometres, often blistering heat parched collected today grace major museum collections all continents. Of 531⁄2 served BPI, 215 months (just short 18 years) were Through dedication tireless exertions, houses largest southern hemisphere. More than ninety per cent making those himself, assisted number assistants, but especially long-time companion friend, late Regent Lukas Huma. These strong research magnet drawing visiting palaeontologists continents globe, they represent lasting monument abiding tribute memory. confined Africa alone also Zambia, Zimbabwe Lesotho, well U.S.A., Brazil Argentina. One highlights long productive career 1970 invited Antarctica part U.S.A.-Antarctic Programme. Here responsible identification therapsids Antarctica, identical accustomed Africa, thus providing further evidence former close continental links between Antarctica. outcome spectacular successes is highland features now officially ‘Kitching Ridge’ Nor On appointment brief given him should divide Permo-Triassic Plio-Pleistocene mammalian dolomitic cave deposits Makapansgat north country. latter locality involved investigations Cave Hearths famous Limeworks deposits, 1947 made important discovery specimen ‘ape-man’, Australopithecus, come site. Together Raymond Dart undertook taphonomic bone accumulations Makapansgat. This led visits Netherlands, Belgium France study Palaeolithic