Christopher Stuart Henshilwood

Christopher Stuart Henshilwood is a leading Professor in African Prehistory and Archaeology, affiliated with the University of Bergen and previously the University of the Witwatersrand. His work bridges the Evolutionary Sciences Institute (Witwatersrand) and the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religious Studies (Bergen).

Research Interests:

• Origins of modern human behavior in southern Africa
• Understanding symbolic representation and cognitive evolution
• Geoarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in the southern Cape (MIS 6-3)
• Digital archaeology and experimental approaches

Publications: Henshilwood's 2018-2021 articles focus on Blombos Cave excavations, Still Bay/Oakhurst techno-complexes, ochre analysis, and genetic links to Khoe groups. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of taphonomy, lithic technology, and paleoenvironmental data.

Scientific Recognition:

• Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (2004)
• ERC FP7 TRACSYMBOLS Grant (2010-2015)
• NRF A1-rated Scientist (2021)
• Vice-Chancellor's Research Award, Witwatersrand (2015)
• Hjernekraftprisen (2020) from Forskerforbundet

Grants: Funded by Research Council of Norway (2017-2026), European Research Council, National Geographic, and National Science Foundation. His projects span Middle Stone Age behavioral studies, Blombos Cave excavations, and genetic/cultural links between prehistoric and modern populations.