100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa
Australian-born Raymond Dart arrived in South Africa in 1922 and subsequently gave the name Australopithecus africanus to the fossilised juvenile skull discovered by mine workers in Taung, North West Province. After this discovery, and its announcement in 1925, the discipline of palaeoanthropology...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Academy of Science of South Africa
2025-02-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
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| Online Access: | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/18624 |
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| author | Dipuo Kgotleng Stella Basinyi Wendy Black Precious Chiwara-Maenzanise |
| author_facet | Dipuo Kgotleng Stella Basinyi Wendy Black Precious Chiwara-Maenzanise |
| author_sort | Dipuo Kgotleng |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Australian-born Raymond Dart arrived in South Africa in 1922 and subsequently gave the name Australopithecus africanus to the fossilised juvenile skull discovered by mine workers in Taung, North West Province. After this discovery, and its announcement in 1925, the discipline of palaeoanthropology grew exponentially on the continent. This centennial milestone necessitates reflection on the role of science in society, with a critical look at the relationship between palaeosciences, the theories of human evolution, and the researcher’s interaction with southern African Indigenous peoples. Here we examine the palaeoanthropological scientific practice in southern Africa and suggest ways to decolonise science, and its narratives, in the future. To achieve meaningful transformation and social cohesiveness, we discuss measures to counter the wrongs of the past through meaningful and socially responsive practices such as equitable funding schemes, meaningful collaboration, and doing away with ‘helicopter research’.
Significance:
Palaeoscience practice and narratives in southern Africa are in need of decolonisation. We call for meaningful transformation and social cohesiveness, through measures to counter the wrongs of the past. To do this, we suggest meaningful and socially responsive practices such as equitable funding schemes, meaningful collaboration, and doing away with ‘helicopter research’.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c4f795d0190d42ffbcd455a90764010d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-c4f795d0190d42ffbcd455a90764010d2025-02-07T08:28:51ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892025-02-011211/210.17159/sajs.2025/18624100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South AfricaDipuo Kgotleng0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2160-7090Stella Basinyi1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5946-7981Wendy Black2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8540-1588Precious Chiwara-Maenzanise3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3907-6075Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa1.Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, United Kingdom; 2.Human Evolution Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa1.Human Evolution Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Department of Research and Exhibitions, Archaeology Unit, Iziko Museums of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa1.Human Evolution Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Australian-born Raymond Dart arrived in South Africa in 1922 and subsequently gave the name Australopithecus africanus to the fossilised juvenile skull discovered by mine workers in Taung, North West Province. After this discovery, and its announcement in 1925, the discipline of palaeoanthropology grew exponentially on the continent. This centennial milestone necessitates reflection on the role of science in society, with a critical look at the relationship between palaeosciences, the theories of human evolution, and the researcher’s interaction with southern African Indigenous peoples. Here we examine the palaeoanthropological scientific practice in southern Africa and suggest ways to decolonise science, and its narratives, in the future. To achieve meaningful transformation and social cohesiveness, we discuss measures to counter the wrongs of the past through meaningful and socially responsive practices such as equitable funding schemes, meaningful collaboration, and doing away with ‘helicopter research’. Significance: Palaeoscience practice and narratives in southern Africa are in need of decolonisation. We call for meaningful transformation and social cohesiveness, through measures to counter the wrongs of the past. To do this, we suggest meaningful and socially responsive practices such as equitable funding schemes, meaningful collaboration, and doing away with ‘helicopter research’. https://sajs.co.za/article/view/18624Taungfundingpalaeoscienceresearchsocial cohesionsocial responsiveness |
| spellingShingle | Dipuo Kgotleng Stella Basinyi Wendy Black Precious Chiwara-Maenzanise 100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa South African Journal of Science Taung funding palaeoscience research social cohesion social responsiveness |
| title | 100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa |
| title_full | 100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | 100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | 100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa |
| title_short | 100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa |
| title_sort | 100 years of palaeo research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in south africa |
| topic | Taung funding palaeoscience research social cohesion social responsiveness |
| url | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/18624 |
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