Film and Lecture on Origins of Modern Humans
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Origins Centre
Oct 10, 2011, 11:19:37 AM10/10/11
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The next talk in the Origins Centre Public Lecture Series features an
address by Professor Christopher Henshilwood, as well as a
spectacularly filmed, half-hour documentary on the origins of modern
humans.
Professor Henshilwood, renowned for his exploration of the Blombos
Cave in the Cape, will speak on ‘Symbols and Climate: Tracing the
origins of behaviourally modern Homo sapiens in southern Africa’.
A major research challenge in archaeology is identifying when and how
symbols were used for the first time to mediate hominin behaviour.
Once in place this innovation provided an ability to share, store and
transmit coded information.
Recent archaeological discoveries in regions of Africa suggest symbols
were an inherent part of Homo sapiens behaviour by at least 75 000
years ago. However, the recent application of high resolution dating
techniques suggests that symbolic material culture occurs only
sporadically after that time and became a regular feature only 25 000
years ago.
A possibility is that variable climates had a major effect on the
continuity of key cultural innovations; researching the role of
climate in shaping the cognitive evolution of Homo sapiens is
therefore a priority.
Prof Henshilwood is interviewed in the documentary that follows his
talk, which is titled ‘Origins: The Birthplace of Humanity'. The
Foster brothers and Aland Pictures present this story of how we became
uniquely human.
The film takes us on a brief but captivating journey through the
hallmarks of our human past – showcasing the critical role that
Africa’s landscape and environment played in shaping who we are
today. Told through the eyes of South African forensic anthropologist
Nonhlanhla Dlamini, the film explores the origins of science,
religion, art and healing - blueprints that define us as modern
humans.
Date: Tuesday 25 October 2011
Venue: Origins Centre
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Cost: R45/R35 Wits staff and students
Booking essential: a...@origins.org.za or tel 011 717 4700
address by Professor Christopher Henshilwood, as well as a
spectacularly filmed, half-hour documentary on the origins of modern
humans.
Professor Henshilwood, renowned for his exploration of the Blombos
Cave in the Cape, will speak on ‘Symbols and Climate: Tracing the
origins of behaviourally modern Homo sapiens in southern Africa’.
A major research challenge in archaeology is identifying when and how
symbols were used for the first time to mediate hominin behaviour.
Once in place this innovation provided an ability to share, store and
transmit coded information.
Recent archaeological discoveries in regions of Africa suggest symbols
were an inherent part of Homo sapiens behaviour by at least 75 000
years ago. However, the recent application of high resolution dating
techniques suggests that symbolic material culture occurs only
sporadically after that time and became a regular feature only 25 000
years ago.
A possibility is that variable climates had a major effect on the
continuity of key cultural innovations; researching the role of
climate in shaping the cognitive evolution of Homo sapiens is
therefore a priority.
Prof Henshilwood is interviewed in the documentary that follows his
talk, which is titled ‘Origins: The Birthplace of Humanity'. The
Foster brothers and Aland Pictures present this story of how we became
uniquely human.
The film takes us on a brief but captivating journey through the
hallmarks of our human past – showcasing the critical role that
Africa’s landscape and environment played in shaping who we are
today. Told through the eyes of South African forensic anthropologist
Nonhlanhla Dlamini, the film explores the origins of science,
religion, art and healing - blueprints that define us as modern
humans.
Date: Tuesday 25 October 2011
Venue: Origins Centre
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Cost: R45/R35 Wits staff and students
Booking essential: a...@origins.org.za or tel 011 717 4700
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