Welcome To The East London Museum Website

Established in 1921 and considered to be one of the most interesting natural and cultural history museums in the country, the East London Museum features a number of fine exhibits, including the type specimen of the coelacanth, a fish previously believed to have become extinct some 80 million years ago, together with an extensive collection of beadwork relating to the Xhosa-speaking people.

Collection highlights include the excavation of a large fossil reptile skull and skeleton, Kannemeyria simocephalus, near Tarkastad in 1934;  the discovery of the coelacanth in 1938, which resulted in national acclaim for the Museum;  an informative display of maritime history of the area;  work on trace human and animal trace fossil footprints found in coastal sandstone rockface, dated at 124 000 years old;  and the recent dating of the Hofmeyr skull at 36 000 years.

XL Bazaars, home of the Museum Society from 1921-1926	East London Museum, opened 23 September 1931	East London Museum, opened 25 November 1950	East London Museum, 2010