The Dental Collection is a research resource of local and international importance. The Collection includes dental casts from living individuals who were included in research projects conducted by University of the Witwatersrand researchers in the 1900’s. Some are from clinical settings while others were made during fieldwork in rural or urban areas. A number of different South African populations are represented, as well as materials from North America obtained through scientific exchanges. The Collection also includes subadult samples, orthodontic treatment casts, and ASUDAS non-metric dental trait assessment casts. Some of the dental casts were made during field research with cultural groups who are active in monitoring research on materials associated with ancestors and family members. The Collection Manager restricts access to any individual identifying information. If researchers request permission to study those casts they must state this in their applications, along with information as to how they will use the data collected and any efforts they will make to contact the relevant cultural groups/community stakeholders.

For details of the specific holdings, please contact Professor LA Schepartz Lynne.Schepartz@wits.ac.za

The Brain (Endocast) Collection contains over 350 endocasts, with the majority (app.200) representing modern humans. Over 100 different mammalian endocasts (mostly primates) are also available for study. 

For details of the specific holdings, please contact Professor LA Schepartz Lynne.Schepartz@wits.ac.za

The Anthropometric/Human Variation Data Archive is a research resource of local and international importance. The Archive consists of the original data folders and data collection sheets from research projects conducted on a wide array of Sub-Saharan populations in the 1900’s. Some of the Archive was compiled during field research with cultural groups who are active in monitoring research on materials associated with ancestors and family members. It is incumbent on all users to treat the Archive with sensitivity and respect in honour of the individual participants and their contributions to South African science.

If researchers request permission to study those portions of the Archive they must state this in their applications, along with information as to how they will use the data collected and any efforts they will make to contact the relevant cultural groups/community stakeholders. The responsibility for this is on the researcher, although the Archive Manager and the Curator will offer advice on this process.

The Archive Manager restricts access to any individual identifying information. This is a complex process that may require special advance preparation before access to the Archive can be granted.

Documentation of portions of the Archive is currently poor, and most of the material is not available as electronic data, but there is ongoing work towards improving this situation. Due to the age of the Archive and the fragility of the papers, photocopying or regular scanning will not be allowed except in special circumstances. Cameras and hand-held scanners may be used with special permission from the Collections Committee. The reproduction of Archive photos also requires special permission.

For details of the specific holdings, please contact Professor LA Schepartz Lynne.Schepartz@wits.ac.za