Aimure

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

At AIMURE, stories drive our commitment to research, education, and exploration beneath the waves.

As our work on the Haarlem Project continues, we remain dedicated to uncovering and sharing South Africa's rich underwater cultural heritage.

Watch our Dr. Bruno Werz. chatting with Jolene Martin on the southern question discussing our latest project THE HAARLEM | THE CAPE THE GENESIS OF A PEOPLE"

MarineResearch

https://youtu.be/m0i_bhsKoq8?si=9nKAR-O0YTP6gS8O

27/05/2026

Long before maps, borders or recorded history, humans were already living along the southern African coastline.

Today, much of that evidence lies underwater.

is one of AIMURE’s most important long-term underwater archaeological research initiatives discovered when Dr Bruno Werz unearthed an ancient hand axe from the depths of False Bay in 1995. It was focused on locating and studying submerged prehistoric landscapes off the coast of South Africa.

The project takes its name from the Nguni word “zembe”, meaning axe, after prehistoric stone tools discovered in Table Bay that are estimated to be between 300,000 and 1.5 million years old. These discoveries were internationally recognised as some of the oldest man-made objects ever found underwater.

What makes Operation Zembe remarkable is that it is not simply about artefacts. It is about reconstructing lost worlds.

During prehistoric periods, sea levels were dramatically lower than they are today. Vast coastal plains, once occupied by early humans and animals were eventually swallowed by the ocean. Operation Zembe sought to locate these drowned landscapes and better understand early human migration, climate change, survival and adaptation.

This is where marine science, archaeology, geology and history collide.
At AIMURE, we believe the ocean is not just a space for exploration, it is an archive of human memory.

Every dive has the potential to recover a fragment of humanity’s earliest story.

🌊 Learn more about AIMURE and its work: www.aimure.org

OceanScience HumanOrigins AfricanHistory ClimateResearch SouthAfrica Exploration

https://lnkd.in/d26g_Ukc

29/02/2024

28/02/2024

🌊 Exploring history's depths! The Haarlem shipwreck, lost at sea in 1647, unveils tales of maritime adventure. Join AIMURE on this voyage through time as we uncover the mysteries beneath the waves. 🚢⚓

17/02/2024

Who are our members?

MS. NAAZNEEN KHAN, MEMBER OF THE BOARD

Naazneen Khan is a South African-born attorney passionate about maritime law, archeology, and history. Prior to law, she worked in a multitude of industries. She has a certification in International Human Rights law and was a Woman in Law Award Nominee in 2019 in the category of Social Justice, pro bono, and human rights. Currently, she works as an Attorney at BPG Attorneys in Pretoria and is a part-time freelance radio presenter, besides serving as a Board member of AIMURE.

20/12/2023

Chatting about the Haarlem with Pippa Hudson - Cape Talk on CapeTalk is Dr Bruno Werz , Naazneen Khan and Jolene Martin

Guest: Bruno Wer Jolene Martin Naazneen Khan

20/12/2023

Fantastic interview with Pippa Hudson - Cape Talk on CapeTalk with Dr Bruno Werz in studio Naazneen Khan on phone and in studio chatting about the Haarlem , it's history and its benefit to the people !

Follow us for updates. Will upload the podcast in the next post!

17/12/2023

Please fill in this survey below.

We want to hear your opinions on Haarlem and it's excavation because education and community involvement is key to our values!

Also tune in to CapeTalk on Tuesday the 19th December 2023 between 2pm and 3pm for a very interesting conversation with Pippa Hudson - Cape Talk on the historical Haarlem!

With Dr. Bruno Werz and Board member Naazneen Khan

17/12/2023

Read all about it today! Fantastic article in the on Aimure...