Hominin heritage: How institutional repositories are managing collections, collaboration and repatriation

Wendy Black; Bernhard Zipfel; Mirriam Tawane; Glynn Alard; Phillip Hine

doi:10.17159/sajs.2025/18569

Authors

Wendy Black 1.Archaeology Unit, Research & Exhibitions Department, Iziko Museums of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.Human Evolution Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8540-1588
Bernhard Zipfel Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4251-884X
Mirriam Tawane 1.Human Evolution Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; 2.National Heritage Council, Pretoria, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0462-9423
Glynn Alard Education Department, Iziko Museums of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
Phillip Hine Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites Unit, South African Heritage Resources Agency, Cape Town, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2025/18569

Keywords:

museum collections, heritage management, repatriation, human evolution education, curation

Abstract

In this article, we discuss South African heritage management, and how it has shaped the role institutions play in protecting heritage 100 years ago versus today. Museums and universities are in a difficult position as they address past unethical archaeology and palaeoanthropology practices while implementing transformation and decolonisation approaches to protect and share heritage inclusively. We outline some of the complexities that museums, universities, and heritage bodies face in navigating human evolution research, site and material access, potential returns, repatriations or reburials, curation and the development of accessible educational content in a contemporary context.

Significance:

Museums, heritage agencies and universities have been the custodians of archaeological and palaeoanthropological heritage for a long time. In the past, conserving heritage was more about advocating race-based scientific study and advancing the colonial agenda. One hundred years later, this landscape has changed, but is not perfect. The complexities of heritage management, museum curation and collection, repatriation, and how we teach and share human evolution are many. Those navigating these complexities strive for a transformed and inclusive custodianship in an often difficult socio-political landscape, while simultaneously protecting and sharing our heritage.