News

A new exhibition exploring the Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour, has opened its doors at the Cape of Good Hope Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre (BVC) in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). The exhibition showcases the discovery of early modern human origins and innovations in southern Africa, using multi-media displays.

This exhibition is presented by South African National Parks (SANParks), together with the University of Bergens SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE) in Norway, and the Evolutionary Studies Institute of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in South Africa.

The Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour exhibition, curated by award-winning documentary filmmaker, Craig Foster, and archaeologist, Petro Keene, showcases the culmination of some 30 years of archaeological research in the southern Cape undertaken by Professor Christopher Henshilwood, Dr Karen van Niekerk, Professor Sarah Wurz and their research teams at the respective archaeological sites.

I am proud to say that this exhibition represents the culmination of 30 years of archaeological research and collaboration between our teams of experts in various fields including psychology, chronology and palaeoclimate.>

Our goal has been to shed light on the complex and fascinating evolution of early Homo sapiens and their cultural and cognitive abilities. Using cutting-edge technology and innovative research methods, we have been able to uncover new insights into the behaviour of our early common ancestors and affirm that we do, indeed, all come from Africa.

From the development of complex tools and symbolic communication, the exhibition showcases the remarkable achievements of early. Homosapiens in southern Africa and their ability to adapt and thrive in a changing environment, says Professor Christopher Henshilwood of Sapience.

The exhibition comprises 19 unique display panels, including six videos by Craig Foster and Damon Foster, and bespoke Sea Change Project content, allowing visitors a unique multi-sensory experience.

The daily life of early Homo sapiens has been recreated on film, and the artefacts and objects created and used by these early inhabitants of our coastline have been meticulously replicated for a display to capture the way of life of humans between 120 000 and 50 000 years ago. The videos highlight the remarkable scientific work of the SapienCE and Wits archaeologists and aim to connect people to the environment, and through this, generate a better understanding of themselves.

Speaking at the event, SANParks CEO, Ms. Hapiloe Sello said, I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to the team of archaeologists for creating, developing and constructing an exhibition on early behaviour of Sapiens (early humans).

This is indeed a remarkable project. TMNP now has an opportunity to host this magnificent exhibition here at BVC for the next three years. We are proud to offer visitors and particularly young people an opportunity to add to their bucket list, a cultural exploration exhibition that educates us about our common past and allows us to see first-hand where and how all human ancestors lived. It demonstrates our desire to communicate in an innovative, engaging way that reduces barriers and makes science exploration universally accessible and exciting.

SANParks is in the process of implementing a strategy for the improvement of the management of cultural heritage in national parks. Key features of the strategy include identifying and documenting cultural heritage, conserving cultural heritage and the interpretation as well as the presentation of cultural heritage for visitors to enjoy.

This exhibition is therefore one of the activities aimed at the interpretation and presentation of cultural heritage for the benefit of South Africans and the world. In the last few years, SANParks throughout its 22 national parks has been presenting opportunities for the showcasing of a host of cultural heritage packages in our national parks, one of the key ways in which SANParks is diversifying its tourism offerings.

Images and video footage www.facebook.com/TableMountainNP

Inquiries:
Rey Thakhuli
SANParks GM: Media, Events And Stakeholder Relations, Communications
Cell: 0733734999 Or Email: [email protected]

Lauren Howard Clayton
SANParks Regional Communications Manager: Cape Region
Cell: 071 115 5843 or Email: [email protected]