Background
Henshilwood, Christopher Stuart was born on April 24, 1951 in Cape Town, South Africa. Son of Norman Tristram and Sybella Elizabeth (Bosman) Henshilwood.
Henshilwood, Christopher Stuart was born on April 24, 1951 in Cape Town, South Africa. Son of Norman Tristram and Sybella Elizabeth (Bosman) Henshilwood.
DEGREES
B.A. (Distinction in Archaeology), University of Cape Town, 1989
B.A. Hons. (with Distinction), University of Cape Town, 1990
Ph. D. (Archaeology), University of Cambridge, U.K. 1995
School
South African College Schools (SACS), Newlands, Cape Town
CURRENT POSITIONS
• Director: Research Council of Norway Centre of Excellence: SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE): 2017-2026, University of Bergen
• Professor of African Prehistory – Institutt for arkeologi, historie, kulturvitenskap og religionsvitenskap, University of Bergen, Norway 2008-2022
• Distinguished Professor, Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 2007-2022
PREVIOUS ACADEMIC POSITIONS
1995-1996 Postdoctoral Research Fellow – University of Cape Town
1997-1998 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship awarded by Anglo-American Chairman’s Fund to study early modern human behaviour – University of Cape Town
1999-2001 Research Fellowship - Award by Anglo America Chairman’s Fund to further research on “Modern Human Origins”.
1999-2004 Associate Professor – Department of Anthropology, State University of New York, Stony Brook.
2002 - 2007 Research Member - French CNRS program ‘Origine de l'Homme, du langage et des langue’, Bordeaux University, France.
2008 - 2022 Professor of African Prehistory – Institutt for arkeologi, historie, kulturvitenskap og religionsvitenskap, University of Bergen, Norway.
2007 - 2022 Distinguished Professor and Chair : South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) – Chair in Origins of Modern Human behaviour, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
Association of Heritage Assessment Practitioners, Society for Africanist Archaeologists, Association of South African Professional Archaeologists.
REFEREE: JOURNALS & FUNDING APPLICATIONS (sample)
Journal referee
Antiquity, Current Anthropology, Journal of Human Evolution, Journal of Archaeological Science, Journal of African Archaeology, Science, Nature, PNAS, PLOSONE, South African Journal of Science, South African Archaeological Bulletin; African Archaeological Review
Funding reviewer
European Science Foundation, Leakey Foundation, European Research Council, National Science Foundation, USA, National Research Foundation, South Africa, Leakey Foundation, National Geographic Research Committee, National Research Council Canada, Australian Research Council
Christopher Henshilwood:
Occupation: Archaeologist
Nationality: South African
Notable Contributions: Christopher Henshilwood is best known for his work on the Blombos Cave site located on the southern coast of South Africa. He co-led excavations at Blombos Cave, which have yielded some of the earliest evidence of symbolic behavior and advanced cognitive abilities in early Homo sapiens.
Symbolic Behavior Discovery: One of Henshilwood's most notable discoveries at Blombos Cave includes engraved ochre and other artifacts dating back to around 70,000 years ago. These artifacts suggest that early humans in this region were engaging in symbolic activities and complex thought processes.
Personal Background: Christopher Henshilwood is a professor and researcher associated with various institutions, including the University of Bergen in Norway and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He has received recognition and awards for his archaeological research.
Henshilwood's work at Blombos Cave has significantly contributed to our understanding of early human cognition, symbolism, and cultural evolution. His research has shed light on the intellectual capabilities of our distant ancestors and their ability to create symbolic art and engage in complex behaviors.
Children: Bronwen, Nicholas.
• Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques medal and order awarded by the French Prime Minister in 2004 for distinguished contributions to French education and culture; conferred, June, 2005.