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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Recover hominid and faunal remains from a hard matrix 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119874  Recover hominid and faunal remains from a hard matrix 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Archaeology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Traditions, History and Legacies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is for learners who work as field or laboratory assistants or fossil trackers excavating fossilised remains from a hard matrix. If developed into a skills programme it will contribute to the development of any learner following a career as an assistant at a fossil excavation or fossil tracker by providing recognition of the skills obtained as a fossil preparator. It may also be useful for learners in museums who do not have formal qualifications and learners on excavation sites who assist with excavations following set procedures.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Identifying bone and other elements in a hard matrix.
  • Demonstrating different methods or techniques used to remove bones from a hard matrix.
  • Applying techniques to remove specimens from matrix.
  • Identifying hazards relating to specific preparation techniques. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is recommended that learners are competent in Communication at NQF Level 1. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This Unit Standard is for learners working as assistants on a fossil site under constant supervision. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify bone and other elements in a hard matrix. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of a hard matrix is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of breccia is explained with reference to its formation and characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The characteristics of bone in a hard matrix are described with reference to colour, texture and shape. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Animal, and plant remains and stone artefacts are identified in the matrix. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate different methods or techniques used to remove bones from a hard matrix. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Mechanical techniques for removing bones from a hard matrix are demonstrated using appropriate tools. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The process of acid preparation is demonstrated with due regard for protection of the sample and person. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of sustaining provenance is explained and an indication is given of the consequences of non-compliance. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply techniques to remove specimens from a matrix. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A block of breccia is extracted from the site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A block is assessed to determine the research potential of the block. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Appropriate methods and techniques are used to extract plant, animal and stone remains from the matrix. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify the hazards relating to specific preparation techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hazards relating to mechanical techniques are identified with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mechanical and technical.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Procedures to be followed in case of accidents or emergencies are explained and an indication is given of the consequences of non-compliance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reasons why protective clothing is required are explained an indication is given of the consequences of non-compliance. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work effectively with others as a member of a team in excavating a fossil site with due regard for safety. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise him/herself and his/her activities in protecting the sample and the person when removing material using acid. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, evaluate and organise information in assessing a block of breccia in terms of its research potential. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Search words:

    Archaeology; fossils; excavation; hominid, heritage. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49772   National Certificate: Archaeology  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.