Twelfth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

The Origins Centre Museum at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa is an interpretation centre cum museum, showcasing the wealth of southern African rock art, archaeology and palaeoanthropology. It allows for re-emphasizing the role of the ‘Global South’ and its contributions in matters of hominin ancestry and origins of people and art, reflecting the motto of ‘All from One’. Simultaneously, the museum provides a glimpse into the earliest rock paintings and engravings through various original and replicated versions, along with the display of ethnographic collections. As well as showcasing numerous archaeological artefacts and replicas of hominin fossil skulls, the exhibits at the centre allows understanding the southern African past through various informed approaches and the inclusion of contemporary art installations. In the dynamic research field of rock art, archaeology, and palaeoanthropology, it becomes imperative to remain relevant by rewriting histories as new research finds are announced. This presentation highlights the challenges that are faced in depicting meaning in (rock) art and lifeways of the first peoples and the archaeological and palaeoanthropological diversity in southern Africa. We share our perspectives on inclusive representations, knowledge sharing and making meaningful contributions in public archaeology and palaeoanthropology.