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Monday 08:30 - 16:30 Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30 Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30 Thursday 08:30 - 16:30 Friday 08:30 - 16:30

Human Evolution Research Institute, University of Cape Town

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The Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI) at UCT. Driving transformative research on human orig

HERI drives African-led research on human evolution at UCT and across the continent. We believe that with diverse teams, we can ask deeper questions and get better answers to our origin story. The result can lead to a better understanding of our past and a greater appreciation of human diversity. Our research focuses on questions of human biological and cultural evolution on many levels and across a wide time period. Our multidisciplinary teams investigate fossil records, the role of hybridisation in evolution, understanding the origins of modern human behaviour and dating Africa’s fossil and archaeological sites, as well as understanding how changing climates and environments shaped us. We also host leading figures in the palaeosciences at our space on the UCT campus for talks, teas and workshops. We encourage interdisciplinary exchange and cooperation in our research, our collaborations and our communication.

28/10/2026

🦴 Fossils from Africa

Hidden within ancient rock in , this trilobite has been preserved for hundreds of millions of years.

Trilobites were small marine animals with a hard, segmented outer shell. Today, their fossils help us learn about some of the earliest forms of life preserved in the rock record.

21/10/2026

HERI continues to put ’s human evolution research centre stage!

Listen to our Co-Director, Associate Professor Robyn Pickering and HERI member Dr Precious Chiwara in conversation with Pippa Hudson - Cape Talk as they share news about the team’s recent National Research Foundation Science Team Award and our track record of African research excellence.

🎙️ Learn more about the award and listen to the full interview here: https://www.heriuct.co.za/news-content/heri-receives-prestigious-nrf-2026-science-team-award

14/10/2026

In 2020, Rivoningo Khosa and Precious Chiwara joined HERI as our very first PhD fellows.

The goal? To give two brilliant researchers an academic home where they could thrive and do world-class science in palaeoanthropology.

Six years later: PhDs completed. 🎓✨

From studying environmental isotopes to decoding past human behaviour in the Kalahari, Rivoningo and Precious have officially crossed the finish line.
Catch up on their journey, what HERI's support meant along the way, and where their research is taking them next: https://www.heriuct.co.za/news-content/then-and-now-reflections-from-heris-advancing-womxn-phd-fellows

Curious where it all started? Look back at our original 2020 article about the fellows: https://www.heriuct.co.za/news-content/heri-welcomes-its-2020-advancing-womxn-fellows

07/10/2026

A proud moment for HERI. 🏆 Last month, HERI was honoured with the National Research Foundation (NRF) 2026 Science Team Award, recognising the collaborative research and teamwork that underpin our work in human evolution and palaeoscience.

This video by the NRF gives a snapshot of the research, collaboration, and people behind this achievement.

30/09/2026

These are microlithic-backed tools - tiny stone tools from Pomongwe Cave in .

They may be small, but they tell a remarkable story of human ingenuity. Carefully shaped into geometric forms such as triangles, trapezoids, and points, they were designed for different hunting functions, helping them cut, pe*****te, or remain embedded on impact.

Together, these tools reflect the skill, adaptability, and innovation of late Holocene hunter-gatherer communities in Southern .

Read more here: https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/safa/article/view/3561/2274

24/09/2026

Today, on Heritage Day, 24 September, entry to the Iziko Museums of South Africa is FREE!

If you’re in Cape Town, this is a great opportunity to visit the museum, have a look at the beautiful Humanity exhibition curated by the HERI team, and explore the fascinating story of human evolution.

A perfect way to spend Heritage Day!

Learn more about the Humanity exhibition:
https://www.heriuct.co.za/news-content/humanity-exhibition-honoured-by-university-of-cape-town

23/09/2026

🦴It’s been over 30 years since the last major synthesis on Paranthropus.

A new Springer volume, The Palaeobiology of Paranthropus, changes that - with key contributions from HERI experts that add to modern discoveries, cutting-edge methods, and unanswered questions surrounding this 2.6-to-1.2-million-year-old hominin.

💬 "Paranthropus is one of the great questions of human evolution. While technological advances over the past 20 years have shed more light on its evolution, big questions remain,” says HERI Co-Director Robyn Pickering.

HERI scientists provide insights into:
▫️ The evolutionary drivers of Paranthropus’ unique skull and jaw features
▫️ Breakthroughs in dating methods that clarify the chronological timeline of fossil sites across southern Africa

📖 Read the full story: https://www.heriuct.co.za/news-content/new-book-with-heri-contributions-presents-latest-paranthropus-research-and-remaining-questions

📚Explore the Springer Book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-05485-2

16/09/2026

Ever wondered how archaeologists excavate? ⛏️ This is what it looks like in the Kalahari: careful excavation, keen observation, and plenty of patience.

Working through hard diatomite sediments, researchers painstakingly uncover stone tools hidden beneath the surface. Every layer removed reveals new clues about the people who once lived in this landscape thousands of years ago.

14/09/2026

From the NRF stage to the field! 🪨🔎 Our team is back in the field, continuing the work of keeping all eyes on South African palaeoscience. 🇿🇦 From celebrating our research on the NRF stage to getting our boots on the ground, it’s all part of the work of understanding South Africa’s deep past.

And sometimes, the best discoveries are hidden in the rocks!

09/09/2026

Congratulations to our HERI Fellow, Dr Rivoningo Khosa, who graduated with her PhD from the University of Cape Town yesterday. 🎓

This outstanding achievement reflects years of dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence. We are proud to celebrate this important milestone with Rivoningo.

Well done, Dr Khosa, and best wishes for the journey ahead. 🎉

Address

University Avenue, Upper Campus
Cape Town
7700

Opening Hours

Monday	08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:30 - 16:30
Thursday	08:30 - 16:30
Friday	08:30 - 16:30

Telephone

+27 21 650 2353

Website

http://heriuct.co.za/

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