Human Skull Ornament

Human Skull Ornament

Homo sapiens

Date Undated Origin Unknown Size 25mm x 35mm x 26mm Acquired March 2021 From Ms. C. Swanepoel Price Gift

Rhinoceros

“Rhinoceros. Largest land mammal in Southern Africa after the elephant. There are two species. The Black Rhinoceros (R. bicornis), once found all over Southern Africa, is now confined to the Bushveld, the Eastern Transvaal and Rhodesia, while the White Rhinoceros (R. simus), never seen South of the Orange River, is now only found in the Hluhluwe (q.v.) and other National Parks, in Zululand and in certain corners of Rhodesia. At one time believed to be extinct, it was rediscovered towards the end of the 19th century. The Black Rhinoceros stands about 5 feet at the shoulder, the body measuring about 10 feet round. The occasional White Rhinoceros has been found nearly 7 feet at the shoulder, and close on 14 feet round. Both types suffer from poor eyesight and are low in intelligence, but have a keen sense of smell and hearing. The White Rhinoceros has a straight, not a prehensile upper lip. Both have two horns, and cases have been reported of the larger front one reaching nearly 5 feet. The last Black Rhinoceros in the Cape was shot not far from Port Elizabeth in 1853” (Rosenthal 1967:450-451).