STILL BAY NEWS -  Is there anybody in Still Bay who doesn't know, even if only vaguely, about Blombos Cave situated here on our coast?

Many people thought they knew (about) Blombos Cave – almost like knowing a casual, rather enigmatic old acquaintance, that one would greet in passing with a nod of the head.

The evening with Prof. Christopher Henshilwood and his team introduced the audience to what is now realised to be the 'Crown Prince' of archaeological sites in the world. Normally two hours would be a very long time to listen to presentations. 

This was not the case on Friday evening 8 February during the 'Blombos Cave event', organised by the Hessequa Society for Archaeology. 

This proved to be a unique opportunity during which Henshilwood, Director of the Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE), University of Bergen, Norway and his team of eight enthusiastic SapienCE scientists gave presentations on their special fields of interest regarding Blombos Cave to an audience of about 500 people.

This event was certainly the highlight of the 'cultural talks' in Stilbaai in recent years. 

The talks emphasised the invaluable archaeological importance of Blombos Cave and the Hessequa region in a manner that appealed to academics and ordinary people alike. 

With a conference style intensity, the scientists had the audience spellbound with information on their research and on the international importance of their new research project which relates to the origins of all.

Each of the nine speakers explained very complex topics related to their proficiency and role in the research. The methodology for dating, the importance of the animals and plant life, the impact of the Agulhas bank and sea currents and the effect of climate change on the development of us all, generated huge interest in this research.

The intended new Still Bay Museum/Information Centre and the possibility that Blombos Cave may soon be declared a World Heritage Site, was apparent. The new research project, which is funded by the Research Council of Norway (University of Bergen) and the South African Department of Science and Technology (Wits University), together with the planned Archaeological Tourism Route, will result in Stilbaai and the Hessequa region increasingly becoming known internationally.

This event was organised in support of the Western Cape government's project for the Archaeological Heritage Tourism route. The Hessequa Society for Archaeology has been assigned to design and have the new Blombos Museum built. This will be done in consultation with the organisations, associations and businesses of the Hessequa District to set up a tourism business plan with the aim of benefiting the entire district.

The Hessequa Society for Archaeology, together with the Hessequa Municipality serves on the Western Cape Government Steering Committee of which Henshilwood is also a member.

Send an e-mail to Izak Venter at argeologiesevereniging.hva@gmail.com if you are interested in assisting with the Blombos museum project.

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