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Chandelé Montgomery, Communications Officer  Trek Back Tuesday is a new series revisiting the rich history of work shared by members of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa through its long-running bi-annual newsletter (PalNews). These pieces reflect decades of research, fieldwork, mentorship, and discovery - many of which continue to shape palaeontology in southern Africa and beyond. Through this series, we aim to bring selected archival articles back into view, placing them in a contemporary context while preserving the voices and perspectives of the time in which they were written. Trek Back Tuesday is not only about looking back, but about recognising how past contributions continue to inform present research and future directions. We begin this series with James William Kitching - a towering figure in South African palaeontology whose legacy is deeply embedded in the country’s fossil record, research institutions, and scientific community. The reflections shared here draw on tributes originally published in the Society’s newsletter, offering insight into Kitching’s life in the field, his scientific contributions, and the lasting impact of his work. Who Was James Kitching?  Image Credit: Raath & Rubidge, 2003 James William Kitching (1922–2003) was one of South Africa’s most influential palaeontologists and is widely regarded as one of the greatest fossil collectors the discipline has known. Over a career spanning more than five decades, his work fundamentally shaped understanding of the Karoo fossil record and helped establish southern Africa as a centre of global palaeontological research. Born in Graaff-Reinet and introduced to fossil collecting at an early age, Kitching’s connection to the Karoo was both personal and professional. He began collecting fossils as a child alongside his father and brothers, experiences that laid the foundation for a lifetime spent in the field. His formal association with the University of the Witwatersrand began in 1945, when he joined the newly established Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research with a mandate to collect fossils from the Karoo Basin - a task he pursued with extraordinary dedication. Kitching’s legacy is inseparable from the collections he built. More than ninety percent of the Karoo fossil material housed at the University of the Witwatersrand was collected by him, often under physically demanding conditions and across vast, remote landscapes. These collections continue to underpin research across disciplines, serving generations of scientists from South Africa and around the world. Although internationally recognised for his contributions - including work in Antarctica, South America, and beyond - Kitching was best known among colleagues and students for his time in the field. His ability to locate fossils, mentor young scientists, and share practical knowledge became legendary, and his influence extended far beyond his own publications. A Life in the Field  Image Credit: Raath & Rubidge, 2003 For James Kitching, palaeontology was lived outdoors. The Karoo was not simply a study area, but a working landscape in which decades were spent walking, observing, collecting, and teaching. His ability to locate fossils in the field was renowned - often described as uncanny - and earned him a reputation as one of the finest fossil finders of his time. Colleagues recalled how even the most unpromising exposures could yield important discoveries under Kitching’s guidance. With patience and humour, he taught students and assistants how to read the landscape, encouraging careful observation and persistence. Time spent in the field with him was frequently described as transformative; many who considered themselves inexperienced left convinced that they, too, could find fossils - even if they never matched his extraordinary skill. Fieldwork under Kitching’s leadership was meticulously organised but generous in spirit. Camps were efficient, well-run, and welcoming, reflecting his belief that “any fool can be uncomfortable in the veld.” Despite the demands of expedition leadership, he took on the practical tasks of camp life himself, from cooking to cleaning, and became well known for producing substantial meals in remote conditions without reliance on tinned food or refrigeration. The physical demands of this work were considerable. Fossils were often carried by hand across kilometres of rugged terrain - over steep ridges, through deep dongas, and in extreme heat or cold - yet Kitching approached these challenges with quiet determination. His years in the Karoo, and later in equally demanding environments elsewhere, shaped both the scale of his collections and the respect he commanded among those who worked alongside him. Building a Scientific Legacy The scientific legacy of James Kitching is perhaps most clearly visible in the collections he helped create and the research they continue to support. Over decades of fieldwork, he amassed an extraordinary body of material, much of it collected under physically demanding conditions and transported by hand across remote terrain. Today, more than ninety percent of the Karoo fossil collections housed at the University of the Witwatersrand originate from his efforts, forming one of the most significant palaeontological resources in the southern hemisphere. These collections underpin a vast body of research. They have been examined by generations of South African and international scientists and continue to inform studies of biostratigraphy, faunal turnover, and ecosystem change within the Karoo Basin. Kitching’s meticulous collecting and recording practices ensured that specimens retained not only scientific value, but enduring relevance. While the Karoo remained central to his work, Kitching’s influence extended far beyond South Africa. He undertook collecting expeditions across southern Africa and internationally, including work in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, North and South America, and Antarctica. His participation in the United States Antarctic Research Programme in 1970 led to the first identification of a fossil mammal-like reptile on the continent, providing critical palaeontological evidence for past continental connections within Gondwana. The naming of Kitching Ridge in Antarctica stands as a testament to this achievement. Alongside his extensive fieldwork, Kitching published more than fifty scientific papers and books, with particular emphasis on the distribution and biostratigraphy of Karoo fossils. His contributions to understanding southern Gondwanan palaeontology were internationally recognised, earning him numerous national and international honours. Despite these accolades, he remained characteristically modest, preferring the practical work of collecting and mentoring to the spotlight of recognition. Taken together, James Kitching’s legacy is not confined to individual discoveries or publications. It is embedded in collections, institutions, and scientific practices that continue to shape palaeontological research today - a legacy built patiently, specimen by specimen, in the field. The Archival Tribute The reflections that follow draw from tributes originally published in PalNews following the passing of James William Kitching in December 2003. Written by colleagues and collaborators, these pieces capture how Kitching was experienced by those who worked alongside him - in the field, in institutions, and across decades of shared scientific endeavour. An Eye for Fossils  Image Credit: Raath & Rubidge, 2003 James Kitching’s ability to locate fossils in the field was legendary. Colleagues recalled how he could identify significant specimens in exposures others had already walked past, often with apparent ease. His skill was not guarded or exclusive; instead, he took pleasure in showing others what to look for, sharing techniques and insights generously. Time spent in the field with Kitching was frequently described as transformative. Under his guidance, even inexperienced collectors began to recognise subtle clues in the rock - learning not only how to find fossils, but how to read a landscape. Life in Camp Field camps under Kitching’s leadership were remembered as both highly efficient and unexpectedly comfortable. Having spent years working in the demanding conditions of the Karoo, he believed strongly that discomfort was not a prerequisite for serious fieldwork. Camps were well organised, routines clear, and morale high. Despite his seniority, Kitching undertook the practical responsibilities of camp life himself, from cooking to cleaning. His aversion to tinned food and his ability to produce substantial meals in remote settings became part of fieldwork lore, as did his carefully honed methods for preserving food without refrigeration. A Builder of Collections Those responsible for the care of institutional fossil collections have often noted that James Kitching’s true monument lies in the specimens themselves. The vast majority of the Karoo fossil material housed at the University of the Witwatersrand was collected by Kitching, often with the assistance of dedicated field companions such as Regent Lukas Huma. These collections were not assembled easily. Fossils were carried by hand over long distances, across difficult terrain and in extreme weather. The scale of this effort, sustained over decades, stands as a testament to extraordinary dedication, endurance, and purpose. A Scientist and Mentor  Image Credit: Raath & Rubidge, 2003 Beyond his achievements as a collector and researcher, Kitching was widely remembered for his generosity - with time, knowledge, and encouragement. Students, colleagues, and assistants alike recalled his willingness to teach, his patience in the field, and his quiet pride in the success of others. Despite international recognition and numerous honours, he remained deeply uncomfortable with personal acclaim. He preferred, instead, to focus on the work itself and on supporting those who shared his commitment to palaeontology. Tribute excerpts adapted from writings by Mike Raath and Bruce Rubidge, originally published in the PalNews. Looking Back, Moving Forward Revisiting the life and work of James Kitching offers more than a reflection on an extraordinary individual; it provides an opportunity to reconnect with the foundations on which much of South African palaeontology is built. His contributions continue to shape research, collections, and field practices, long after the years in which they were first made. Trek Back Tuesday was created to make space for this kind of reflection - to return to the Society’s archives and bring forward the work, voices, and histories that remain relevant today. By revisiting these contributions, we acknowledge not only past achievements, but the continuity of scientific endeavour across generations. As this series continues, future Trek Back Tuesday posts will highlight additional archival pieces and the individuals behind them, drawing connections between earlier work and the questions that continue to drive palaeontological research. We invite readers to follow along each Tuesday as we trek back through the Society’s history, one story at a time.
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