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Terraced fields near Lydenburg, Mpumalanga
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Patrick Carter and Patricia Vinnicombe sorting finds at Sehonghong in Lesotho in 1972

what we do

The South African Archaeological Society, also known as ArchSoc, is a registered non-profit organisation. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in archaeology. The Society promotes archaeological research in southern Africa and makes the results available to its members and the public through lectures, outings, tours and publications.

ABOUT US

The South African Archaeological Society was founded in Cape Town as the Cape Archaeological Society in August 1944 by Professor John Goodwin. The aim of the South African Archaeological Society, as set out in our constitution, is to bridge the gap between professional archaeologists and people from all walks of life who enjoy the subject.
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SAAB

The South African Archaeological Bulletin (SAAB) was established in 1945. It is an internationally renowned journal (ISI & IBSS listed) that publishes on all aspects of African archaeology. It has amongst the highest citation index rating of all world archaeological journals.

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RESOURCES

Please read more to see a list of free archaeological resources currently available from the South African Archaeological Society

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FAQ

Please read more to see a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the Society


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LATEST NEWS

21 Sep 2023
The South African Archaeological Society is saddened to record the passing of historian Henry Charles Bredekamp, widely known as Jatti, on 20 September 2023 at the age of 78.
21 Sep 2023
The discovery of ancient wooden logs in the banks of a river in Zambia has changed archaeologists' understanding of ancient human life. Researchers found evidence the wood had been used to build a structure almost half a million years ago. 
13 Sep 2023
Dear members, we recently received news that has resulted in a lot of press today about the Virgin Galactic mission that carried the bones of Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi. It has caused a lot of controversy and you can read the article on this link:

latest events & activities

By: Lead by Dr Sifelani Jirah
Date: Thu, 05/10/2023 - 13:30
Northern
Time: 13:30 for 14:00 
Meet at: Origins Centre, Wits University. Parking directly in front of the building on Yale Rd.
Duration: Roughly 2 hours. 
Charge: Members R60 (limited to 20 members only)
By: Mr Bob Forrester
Date: Thu, 05/10/2023 - 19:30
Charge: Non-members : R50, members : free
By: Nigel Amschwand
Date: Tue, 10/10/2023 - 18:30 to 19:30
Western Cape
Postponed from 8 August to 10 October due to taxi strike.

Date: TUESDAY 10 October 2023
Time: 18:00 for 18:30
Place: S A Astronomical Observatory
SPEAKER: Nigel Amschwand