Study Opportunities

National Research Foundation bursaries are available at PhD and Masters levels for:

Studies in the Origins of Modern Human Behaviour

Chair holder: Prof Christopher Henshilwood
Senior Researcher: Dr Marlize Lombard
Research Fellow: Dr Gerrit Dusseldorp
Research Fellow: Dr Geeske Langejans

Bursary applications are invited from South African residents wishing to conduct postgraduate studies in the field of archaeology. Applications are encouraged from students who have a particular interest in the evolution of modern humans and the Middle Stone Age of southern Africa.

Bursaries will be awarded on the basis of marks achieved in previous degrees and on the merit of the proposed research topic. They will cover all tuition and registration costs and make a small contribution towards living expenses. Successful applicants are expected to reside either at Wits or in the Johannesburg area.

Students are offered the opportunity to take part in excavations at southern Cape archaeological sites such as Blombos and De Hoop. Within the modern human behaviour framework we encourage studies that encompass one or more of the following: lithic analysis, micro-residue and usewear studies, faunal analysis, shellfish analysis, experimental archaeology, site formation processes, dating and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.

Students attaining bursaries in this focus area will be based within the Institute for Human Evolution, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies; Faculty of Science.

If you are interested please email the following to Dr Marlize Lombard:

1. A letter of introduction
2. Full Curriculum Vitae with the names of at least two academic referees.
3. A short (no longer than 3 pages) description of your potential research project.