Department: Archaeology
Archaeometry
Current Research Publications Online Publications Contact
An
example of a complex decoration on an ostrich eggshell collected in
southern Namibia. The black spot in the centre is the hole. Taken
from: von
Luschan, F. 1923. Buschmann-Einritzungen auf Strausseiern.
Zeitschrift für Ethnologie 55:31-40.
Current research projects are mainly focused on provenance studies of pottery. The most important is the study of pottery from Mapungubwe, one of South Africa's most important archaeological sites. Other research, however, is also undertaken on an ad-hoc basis.
1. PROVENANCE STUDIES
Provenance studies using PIXE, XRF or the microprobe have been carried out on:
- Mapungubwe period pottery from the Shashe-Limpopo Valley and beyond
- Venda (Soutpansberg) and Sotho-Tswana pottery
- Type R pottery from the Riet River
- Khoi Coastal pottery
- Studies on temper and clay mixing
- Early Iron Age pottery from KwaZulu‑Natal
- Miscellaneous pottery from Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana
- Ostrich eggshell
- Gold
- Woodstock glass
- Specularite, hematite and ochre
2. SARM‑69 CERAMIC‑1 REFERENCE MATERIAL
In conjunction with Prof W. van der Westhuizen of the Geology Dept, University of the Free State and MINTEK, a reference material (previously known as a “standard”) specifically for pottery analyses was developed from a batch of potsherds and certified for a range of elements in cooperation with a number of international laboratories (Jacobson et al 2002). This reference material is known as SARM‑69 CERAMIC‑1 and samples can be obtained from Prof van der Westhuizen (email address: vdWestWA@sci.uovs.ac.za). All funds generated go back into research as the development was paid for out of our research funds. More elements (especially rare earths) need certification so this presents an opportunity for someone.
3. OTHER CHEMICAL ANALYSES
- Stone patinas
- Rock art paint
- Glassy biomass slag (vitrified dung)
- Microprobe analysis of bone from Sterkfontein
- Archaeological sediments
4. OTHER RESEARCH
- Later Stone Age hunters and herders in Southern Africa
- Ostrich eggshell beads as stylistic indicators of ethnicity
- Development and management of heritage sites and tourism
- Statistical analysis of Rock Art
- Decorated ostrich eggshells
- Problems and prospects in the future of SA Archaeology
- The Lunatic Fringe in SA Archaeology
- Hoodia and reparations
5. MISCELLANEOUS HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
- Sociology of science
- Philatelic research
- Ethnographic photography