October events @ Origins Centre
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Origins Centre
Sep 25, 2012, 6:59:23 AM9/25/12
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WONDERWERK CAVE AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN ROCK ART
Once again Origins Centre focuses on the Wonderwerk Cave in the Northern Cape, and the valuable information this geographical feature of dolomite, south of Taung and north of the city of Kimberley, has yielded over the years. This look into rock engravings is presented by Prof Francis Thackeray, Director of the Institute for Human Evolution at Wits University.
The engravings include representations of animals and geometrics in datable deposits. The geometric images have been interpreted in terms of "entoptics" perceived in altered states of consciousness (in accordance with Prof David Lewis-Williams' "trance hypothesis", based partly on ethnography). An engraving of a zebra with numerous small incisions on the rump has been interpreted by Thackeray as an animal with "symbolic wounds" in the context of the principle of "sympathetic magic", based in part on ethnography.
These concepts are explored further in the context of certain examples of European Upper Palaeolithic art and the "Out of Africa" hypothesis.
Date: Tuesday 9 October 2012
Venue: Origins Centre
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Cost: R45/R35 Wits students and staff
Bookings essential: a...@origins.org.za
GEMSTONES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA - HIGHLIGHTS FROM NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, ZIMBABWE AND MOZAMBIQUE
In conjunction with the Geological Society of South Africa, we present a lecture on ‘Gemstones of Southern Africa’ delivered by Bruce Cairncross, Professor of Geology and Head of Department at the University of Johannesburg.
Southern Africa has many important and famous gemstone deposits. Diamonds are the most glamorous and well-known, but fancy coloured gemstones come from many localities in the region. These include gems such as topaz from Namibia, tourmaline from Namibia and Mozambique and other varieties. Lesser known gemstones include alexandrite from Zimbabwe and jeremejevite from Namibia. All of the gem varieties of beryl, including morganite, heliodor, emerald, aquamarine and goshenite are found in the region. Quartz is a very common mineral but several varieties of quartz occur as relatively affordable gemstones, such as amethyst, carnelian jasper and agate, to name a few.
Most gemstone deposits in Southern Africa are exploited by artisanal workers and originate from informal mining operations. These and others, together with descriptions of their localities, will be presented in the talk.
Cairncross is internationally recognised as an expert in the fields of Southern African minerals, gemstones and geoheritage. He has authored and co-authored six books on the subject and two more are currently in press.
Date: Tuesday 16 October 2012
Venue: Origins Centre
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Cost: R45/R35 Wits students and staff, as well as GSSA members
Bookings essential: a...@origins.org.za
Please e-mail your request for seats to a...@origins.org.za. If you are a Wits student, Wits staff member or GSSA member, please include your student/staff/membership number. We will then e-mail an invoice to you, which you can pay by eft.
Once again Origins Centre focuses on the Wonderwerk Cave in the Northern Cape, and the valuable information this geographical feature of dolomite, south of Taung and north of the city of Kimberley, has yielded over the years. This look into rock engravings is presented by Prof Francis Thackeray, Director of the Institute for Human Evolution at Wits University.
The engravings include representations of animals and geometrics in datable deposits. The geometric images have been interpreted in terms of "entoptics" perceived in altered states of consciousness (in accordance with Prof David Lewis-Williams' "trance hypothesis", based partly on ethnography). An engraving of a zebra with numerous small incisions on the rump has been interpreted by Thackeray as an animal with "symbolic wounds" in the context of the principle of "sympathetic magic", based in part on ethnography.
These concepts are explored further in the context of certain examples of European Upper Palaeolithic art and the "Out of Africa" hypothesis.
Date: Tuesday 9 October 2012
Venue: Origins Centre
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Cost: R45/R35 Wits students and staff
Bookings essential: a...@origins.org.za
GEMSTONES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA - HIGHLIGHTS FROM NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, ZIMBABWE AND MOZAMBIQUE
In conjunction with the Geological Society of South Africa, we present a lecture on ‘Gemstones of Southern Africa’ delivered by Bruce Cairncross, Professor of Geology and Head of Department at the University of Johannesburg.
Southern Africa has many important and famous gemstone deposits. Diamonds are the most glamorous and well-known, but fancy coloured gemstones come from many localities in the region. These include gems such as topaz from Namibia, tourmaline from Namibia and Mozambique and other varieties. Lesser known gemstones include alexandrite from Zimbabwe and jeremejevite from Namibia. All of the gem varieties of beryl, including morganite, heliodor, emerald, aquamarine and goshenite are found in the region. Quartz is a very common mineral but several varieties of quartz occur as relatively affordable gemstones, such as amethyst, carnelian jasper and agate, to name a few.
Most gemstone deposits in Southern Africa are exploited by artisanal workers and originate from informal mining operations. These and others, together with descriptions of their localities, will be presented in the talk.
Cairncross is internationally recognised as an expert in the fields of Southern African minerals, gemstones and geoheritage. He has authored and co-authored six books on the subject and two more are currently in press.
Date: Tuesday 16 October 2012
Venue: Origins Centre
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Cost: R45/R35 Wits students and staff, as well as GSSA members
Bookings essential: a...@origins.org.za
Please e-mail your request for seats to a...@origins.org.za. If you are a Wits student, Wits staff member or GSSA member, please include your student/staff/membership number. We will then e-mail an invoice to you, which you can pay by eft.
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