DWYKA IN SOUTH AFRICA

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A.P. Coleman travelled to South Africa on two occasions, in 1905 with the British Association and in 1929 for the 15th International Geological Congress in Pretoria.

Discovering ancient glacial remains was very exciting. A.P. Coleman and eight other geologists wrote an open letter to Professor T.C. Chamberlin, University of Chicago, recording the thrill of finding glacial deposits in South Africa,

Members and guests of the British Association in South Africa, returning from a geological excursion, provided by the hospitality of the Natal government, send you greetings and wish you might have been with us to-day to see the Dwyka glacial formation (Permian) lying on a glaciated surface of Barbeton (Archaean?) beds. The evidence of extensive glaciation, with southward movement of the vast ice sheet, is not to be doubted.

— "Permian Glaciation in South Africa". Science, New Series, Vol. 22, No. 563 (Oct. 13, 1905): 475-475

Coleman wrote up the 1905 visit for the University of Toronto’s alumni journal, The University Monthly. In that publication, Coleman wrote from the point of view of the tourist, and recounts climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town, visiting gold mines outside Johannesburg and visiting the great Victoria Falls.

He returned to South Africa in July 1929 for the International Geological

Watercolour. A. P. Coleman. Cape Town and Table Mountain (The mountain is of sandstone); 132. n.d.

Photograph. Dwyka Boulder Clay, Prieska, South Africa. ca 1929 Photo by A.W. Rogers.

Published work. A.P. Coleman, 1906, "British Association in South Africa," University Monthly (6,7): 170 - 174

Notebook. A.P. Coleman. Tuesday July 16, Wynberg, [South Africa] in Notebook 58 1928 - 1929, [pages 76 - 80]

Watercolour. A.P. Coleman. Worcester, South Africa, 1929; S507. n.d.

Photograph. Grooved and Striated Surface, Vaal River, South Africa. Photo by Prof. Young. 1929

Manuscript. A.P. Coleman. In search of the Dwyka. ca1930, typescript, pages 1 - 9

Minerals and rocks. Paul Wilson. Tillite Dwyka, Riverton, Cape Colony, South Africa. (ca 1929). ROM Department of Natural History. Collected by A.P. Coleman

Minerals and rocks. Paul Wilson. Diamond bearing Rock, "Kimberlite - Blue Ground" Kimberley, South Africa. ROM Department of Natural History. Collected by A.P. Coleman

Congress. Once again he climbed Table Mountain. Coleman’s field notebooks, photographs and manuscripts reflect his focus on researching the "Dwyka" glaciation.