Bones and Stones

Off the back of a talk at the 25th meeting of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists, Courtneay Hopper tells us about her research into ceramics found at herder sites in South Africa's Northern Cape and what this tells us about their use. The analysis of lipid residues has incredible potential in archaeology, and this study shows what is possible.

Ep 63: Lipids in Northern Cape herder ceramics Off the back of a talk at the 25th meeting of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists, Courtneay Hopper tells us about her research into ceramics found at h...

The winner of the 2021 Working Bone Research Group student presentation, Hildegard Müller, joins us to talk about Roman bone artefacts. Her experimental work replicating certain bone tools, such as hairpins, and then testing them in various activities showed different use patterns that can be identified on archaeological samples. We talk about her work, some of the challenges she's faced, and the ways that she produced the tools.

Ep 62: The use of Roman bone artefact The winner of the 2021 Working Bone Research Group student presentation, Hildegard Müller, joins us to talk about Roman bone artefacts. Her experimental work...

The archaeology of Mpumalanga Province in South Africa is diverse - it includes Iron Age settlements, historic movements, various rock art records, and lengthy Stone Age sequences. Knowledge of the latter in the southern parts of the province is developing. Mduduzi Maseko talks us through his MA study and what his research revealed about the local sequence and specifically identities in the area from the late Holocene.

Ep 61: Stone Age identities in Mpumalanga Province The archaeology of Mpumalanga Province in South Africa is diverse - it includes Iron Age settlements, historic movements, various rock art records, and lengt...

Justin Bradfield joins us again to chat more about bone tools, this time about the 14th Conference of the Worked Bone Research Group that is upcoming and of which he is the organiser. He talks about the conference a little and some of the challenges the organisers have faced in the current pandemic, as well as the innovative ways they have overcome these.

For anyone interested in registering, please visit: https://www.uj.ac.za/wbrg

https://youtu.be/olcQveBKy1g

Ep 60: 14th Conference of the Worked Bone Research Group Justin Bradfield joins us again to chat more about bone tools, this time about the 14th Conference of the Worked Bone Research Group that is upcoming and of ...

We were incredibly fortunate and honoured to sit down with Peter Mitchell to chat about a few things Lesotho related. He gave us amazing insights into his own relationship with the archaeology of Lesotho and his back story. After hearing this, we discussed the importance of Sehonghong; a truly remarkable shelter in the south-eastern area of the country that is surrounded by other amazing sites. He also shared some thoughts on the upcoming ASAPA conference in Roma, Lesotho, and what it may bring. It was a pleasure chatting to Peter, as always.

Episode 59: Lesotho archaeology and Sehonghong We were incredibly fortunate and honoured to sit down with Peter Mitchell to chat about a few things Lesotho related. He gave us amazing insights into his ow...

Recently, Dominic Stratford and the Bones and Stones team were invited by the Nirox Sculpture Park and the Project 58 owners to explore some archaeology near the Sterkfontein Caves, in the Cradle of Humankind. The site is a stone-walled complex occupied at some point between about AD 1450 and 1700, possibly even after. The team chat about the study and the significance of this kind of work in an area typically known for its hominin fossils and Earlier Stone Age assemblages.

Ep 58: Layers of heritage in the Cradle of Humankind Recently, Dominic Stratford and the Bones and Stones team were invited by the Nirox Sculpture Park and the Project 58 owners to explore some archaeology near...

To kick this year off (Happy New Year everyone) we decided to chat a little about the Earlier Stone Age. In particular, the team chats about the Eastern Cape and some significant and important sites in the province. Most of the chat is actually Tim trying to sound like he knows a few things about the ESA and the two Matt's pretending not to be stumped by the questions. That probably sums it up fairly well.

Ep 56: Some insights into the Earlier Stone Age To kick this year off (Happy New Year everyone) we decided to chat a little about the Earlier Stone Age. In particular, the team chats about the Eastern Cape...

We sat down with Stephanie Baker, again, about an amazing find from Drimolen, again. She told us about DNH 155, the most complete Paranthropus robustus cranium yet to be found. Steph talked a bit about the site itself, how they were able to date the deposits, and the importance of this find in terms of understanding P. robustus and localised adaptations to different environments and subsistence.

Image credits go to La Trobe University and the University of Johannesburg. find out more at: https://tinyurl.com/y47o9f9k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgMAPVJBN5Q&fbclid=IwAR028nzBBjlmNQK-jkp3wT5jXWos8-l9pn5VvCBuBVGml3JpZh3Wa4uYiR4

Episode 55: Drimolen and DNH 155, a new Paranthropus robustus We sat down with Stephanie Baker, again, about an amazing find from Drimolen, again. She told us about DNH 155, the most complete Paranthropus robustus crani...

Today we speak to some members of the Hunter-Gatherer Archaeological Research Project (HARP) field team who joined Tim in the field recently while excavating Little Muck Shelter. Tim mentions a little about what they were doing up there (briefly, as Matt points out) and then the team members reflect on what was their first trip was like (except for Sonja) and talk about some of their field experiences.

If you are interested in learning more about the project or seeing images and updates on the fieldwork, search and follow or on Instagram and Facebook.

Episode 54: Reflections on your first field trip Today we speak to some members of the Hunter-Gatherer Archaeological Research Project (HARP) field team who joined Tim in the field recently while excavating...

In this episode, we speak to Vanessa Mitchell, the Programme Co-ordinator of the African Programme in Museum and Heritage Studies, and a recent recipient of the bursary, archaeology honours student at the University of Pretoria, Christene Smith. The programme engages students from around the country in internships based on Robben Island who participate in various sessions and undertake their own research project over the course of six weeks.

Episode 53: African Programme in Museum and Heritage Studies In this episode, we speak to Vanessa Mitchell, the Programme Co-ordinator of the African Programme in Museum and Heritage Studies, and a recent recipient of ...

It would probably come as a surprise to many, but Gauteng has a lot of archaeology. Unfortunately, because of the sprawling development, much of it is under threat. Witness Mudzamatira talks to us about his doctoral study examining the impact that development has had on stone-walled structures in Gauteng and the efficacy of heritage management in the southern portion of the province.

Episode 52: GIS and heritage management in Gauteng It would probably come as a surprise to many, but Gauteng has a lot of archaeology. Unfortunately, because of the sprawling development, much of it is under ...

One of The Mail and Guardian's 200 Young South Africans, Ruby-Anne Birin, chats to us about this accolade but also her research. Ruby has been working across South Africa studying recent and not so recent pasts using luminescence dating, and this includes work at some amazing sites like Wonderwerk Cave and Bokoni.

Episode 51: Luminescence dating One of The Mail and Guardian's 200 Young South Africans, Ruby-Anne Birin, chats to us about this accolade but also her research. Ruby has been working across...