100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa

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Název: 100 Years of palaeo-research and its relevance for transformation and social cohesion in South Africa
Autoři: Precious Chiwara-Maenzanise, Wendy Black, Stella Basinyi, Dipuo Kgotleng
Zdroj: South African Journal of Science; Vol. 121 No. 1/2 (2025)
South African Journal of Science, Vol 121, Iss 1/2 (2025)
South African Journal of Science, Volume: 121, Issue: 1-2, Pages: 1-7, Published: FEB 2025
Informace o vydavateli: Academy of Science of South Africa, 2025.
Rok vydání: 2025
Témata: H1-99, research, social cohesion, Science (General), Taung, transformation, funding, Science, Social Sciences, palaeoscience, social responsiveness, Social sciences (General), Q1-390, Taung, funding, palaeoscience, research, social cohesion, social responsiveness, transformation
Popis: Australian-born Raymond Dart arrived in South Africa in 1922 and subsequently gave the name Australopithecus africanus to the fossilised juvenile skull discovered by mine workers in Taung, North West Province. After this discovery, and its announcement in 1925, the discipline of palaeoanthropology grew exponentially on the continent. This centennial milestone necessitates reflection on the role of science in society, with a critical look at the relationship between palaeosciences, the theories of human evolution, and the researcher’s interaction with southern African Indigenous peoples. Here we examine the palaeoanthropological scientific practice in southern Africa and suggest ways to decolonise science, and its narratives, in the future. To achieve meaningful transformation and social cohesiveness, we discuss measures to counter the wrongs of the past through meaningful and socially responsive practices such as equitable funding schemes, meaningful collaboration, and doing away with ‘helicopter research’.
Druh dokumentu: Article
Popis souboru: application/pdf; text/html
Jazyk: English
ISSN: 1996-7489
DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2025/18624
Přístupová URL adresa: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajsci/article/view/288133
https://doaj.org/article/c4f795d0190d42ffbcd455a90764010d
http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0038-23532025000100013&lng=en&tlng=en
Rights: CC BY
Přístupové číslo: edsair.doi.dedup.....dd9ddca1f42b646a27283a148c49f883
Databáze: OpenAIRE
Popis
Abstrakt:Australian-born Raymond Dart arrived in South Africa in 1922 and subsequently gave the name Australopithecus africanus to the fossilised juvenile skull discovered by mine workers in Taung, North West Province. After this discovery, and its announcement in 1925, the discipline of palaeoanthropology grew exponentially on the continent. This centennial milestone necessitates reflection on the role of science in society, with a critical look at the relationship between palaeosciences, the theories of human evolution, and the researcher’s interaction with southern African Indigenous peoples. Here we examine the palaeoanthropological scientific practice in southern Africa and suggest ways to decolonise science, and its narratives, in the future. To achieve meaningful transformation and social cohesiveness, we discuss measures to counter the wrongs of the past through meaningful and socially responsive practices such as equitable funding schemes, meaningful collaboration, and doing away with ‘helicopter research’.
ISSN:19967489
DOI:10.17159/sajs.2025/18624