Centre for African Art and Archaeology - CFAAA

We would like to thank Prof Dr Anne Haour for her talk yesterday titled "Places of value in coastal Bénin: Is there any role for archaeological sites?" We enjoyed learning about archaeological landscapes in coastal Bénin, how the sites are changing along with perceptions of and engagement with them. We appreciated the questions from our in-person and online participants as always.

Thank you to all our past speakers from this term: Dr Will Rea, Dr Eva Namusoke, Dr Nkirote MMbogori, Dr Njabulo Chipangura, and Prof Shadreck Chirikure. Your insights deepened our understandings of African art and archaeology.

More to come next term! Stay tuned.

Our last talk of the academic year just started! Please join us.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Places of value in coastal Bénin: Is there any role for archaeological sites? . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Places of value in coastal Bénin: Is there any role for archaeological sites? . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

We are excited to announce the last CfAAA talk of this academic year. Former CfAAA Director Prof Dr Anne Haour (University of Cologne) will give a talk titled "Places of value in coastal Bénin: Is there any role for archaeological sites?"

Use this link if joining online: https://tinyurl.com/2j848zp7

All welcome!

Abstract
The coastal area of the present-day Republic of Bénin (West Africa) contains archaeological and historical sites of global significance, but this area remains archaeologically understudied compared to inland precolonial states like Dahomey. Recent research has provided insights into fishing and salt-producing communities, as well as involvement in Atlantic trade networks. Building on this, we are now investigating how heritage, especially archaeological heritage, can support climate change responses. Beyond the Bénin government’s plans to make heritage-based tourism a lever of sustainable development, what do tourism providers and local inhabitants think of this heritage?

Bio
Prof Anne Haour is an anthropologically trained archaeologist, and Director of the Africa Research Unit (Forschungsstelle Afrika) at the Institute for Prehistory and Early History at the University of Cologne. Her research, which focuses on the period CE 500–1500, examines how objects reflect political and cultural connections and helped build identities in the past. As part of this work, she has developed sustained engagement with the fields of history and cultural heritage. Her recent research expands into intangible aspects and notions of valued places, in the context of which she leads a major research project in southern Bénin as part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office/International Development Research Centre (Canada) CLARE programme.

We would like to thank Prof Shadreck Chirikure for his talk last week. It was a great opportunity to learn about changing interpretations of Great Zimbabwe, particularly recent interventions that centre local perspectives.

We would also like to thank Dr Awet Araya for his contributions as CfAAA's Executive Officer this academic year during his tenure at The Sainsbury Research Unit. Dr Araya's tireless efforts facilitated smooth implementation of our programmes. We acknowledge his insightful ideas and organisational inputs that guided the efficient delivery of the Centre's activities. We wish Dr Araya the best in his future endeavors!

Please join us tomorrow for the in-person talk titled "Painting History: A Conversation on Vivienne Koorland's Izieu Paintings and Related Works," led by Prof Tamar Garb (University College London) in discussion with Dr Ed Krčma (University of East Anglia).

We hope to see you there!

Just a reminder that we are hosting Prof Shadreck Chirikure tonight at 5 pm (London, GMT +1) for his talk on Great Zimbabwe. We would love to see you there, whether online or in person.

Use this link if joining online: https://tinyurl.com/yrhyktjp

We would also like to highlight a joint seminar we have next week on 20 May in association with the World Art Research Seminar and the UEA Seminar in Jewish Studies. You will find an updated term card here reflecting this upcoming talk.

We would like to announce our next CfAAA talk happening on Tuesday 12 May 2026. Prof Shadreck Chirikure (University of Oxford) will give a talk titled "Great Zimbabwe."

Use this link if joining online: https://tinyurl.com/yrhyktjp

All welcome!

Abstract
Great Zimbabwe, located 28 kilometres southeast of modern Masvingo in Zimbabwe, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Africa. Flourishing between the 11th and 16th centuries, it provides compelling evidence of advanced indigenous state formation, economic organisation, and architectural achievement. Its dry-stone buildings, especially the Great Enclosure, demonstrate sophisticated engineering and urban planning, while the settlement may once have supported between ten and twenty thousand people. This presentation examines the extent to which trade networks and cattle-based wealth contributed to the rise and sustainability of Great Zimbabwe as an urban and political centre. It argues that the control of local and regional resources, participation in long-distance Indian Ocean trade, and the accumulation of cattle as a form of wealth were central to the consolidation of political authority and urban growth. Great Zimbabwe operated as a major node in both local and international exchange networks, linking inland resources to coastal markets, as shown by imported ceramics and glass beads. As a powerful symbol of African achievement, Great Zimbabwe challenges colonial interpretations by revealing the complexity of indigenous African urbanism.

Bio
Professor Shadreck Chirikure is the Director of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art in Oxford. His research uncovers the deep history of human creativity by studying ancient objects, materials, and technologies. Working between archaeological sites, museums and scientific labs, he reveals how past communities made things, shaped their environments, and understood the world around them. His work connects material heritage to today’s global questions, from innovation to inequality and the legacies of colonialism in economic development. He is a fellow of the British Academy.

We would like to celebrate Dr Bolaji Owoseni and Abdulmalik A. Abdulmalik who were selected for the 2025–2026 SAFA–ACDF Radiocarbon Dating Award.

Dr Bolaji Owoseni is a Senior Research Associate at the University of East Anglia, UK. Her archaeological research focuses on early architectural traditions and settlement development in northern Nigeria. Abdulmalik A. Abdulmalik is a CHASE doctoral researcher at the University of East Anglia, whose research centres on cultural entanglement in West Africa.

Congratulations!

https://safarchaeology.org/Award-Recipients-2026

We would like to thank Dr Njabu Chipangura for his talk yesterday titled "Whose Stories are Told by Museums with African Collections from Colonial Contexts." We enjoyed hearing about his care-centred approach to curatorship and how it informed initiatives at Manchester Museum. Dinner provided an opportunity to continue the animated conversation. Thank you to all who attended in person or online.

After the April break, we will host Prof Shadreck Chirikure to deliver a talk titled "Great Zimbabwe" on Monday 11 May. Mark your calendars!

We would like to thank Dr Freda Nkirote M’Mbogori (National Museums of Kenya) for her talk on Wednesday titled "Reconsidering Pastoralist Vessels: Archaeological Insights from Milk Containers." We enjoyed learning about different types of milk containers among Gabra and Borana pastoralists, engaging with themes of climate change, youth and transformation, among others. The Q&A and the dinner afterwards provided enriching opportunities to continue the conversation. Thank you to our online and in-person attendees.

We look forward to hosting Dr Njabu Chipangura tomorrow for his talk "Whose Stories are Told by Museums with African Collections from Colonial Contexts." Please join us.