Introducing Archaeology & Anthropology: The Example of Southern African Rock Art

Room: Ontario

presented by Peter Mitchell, Professor of African Archaeology/Tutor and Fellow in Archaeology, University of Oxford St Hugh's College

This session introduces the St Hugh's College Oxford North American Summer School through the medium of my own subject, Archaeology & Anthropology. A focus on the rock paintings and rock engravings left by Southern Africa's precolonial hunter-gatherers illustrates the diversity of topics covered by the School, which are taught by College faculty members. This emphasis also shows how recent ethnographic fieldwork, the analysis of historical data and contemporary archaeological research can work together to decode the meanings behind otherwise mysterious images, thereby demonstrating something of the complexity and sophistication of Bushman religious beliefs and practices.

Peter Mitchell, Professor of African Archaeology/Tutor and Fellow in Archaeology, University of Oxford St Hugh's College
Peter Mitchell has worked in African archaeology for over 20 years, teaching in Cape Town and Wales before returning to Oxford in 1995. There, he is responsible for the teaching and pastoral welfare of Archaeology & Anthropology students with university lecturing and postgraduate supervision. From 1998-2003 he acted as the College's Tutor for Undergraduate Admissions, and last October visited North America to interview candidates seeking admission to Oxford. He maintains an active research and publication profile, participates in the work of several leading journals and has recently edited a six volume series on African peoples and cultures for the North American high school market.