If you've always wanted to know more about the origins of mankind, then the WITS Origins Centre is the place to visit. Their impressive collection of rock art and ancient artefacts is sure to educate and entertain you. Read on to find out more about their impressive displays.
A Must-Visit In Joburg
The Origins Centre is located at the entrance to WITS University's west campus. The museum was opened in 2006 and celebrates the history of modern mankind. The museum is home to a number of displays, including collections of rock art from the Rock Art Research Institute (RARI) at WITS.
The Origins Centre also houses significant artefacts and tools from San culture, documenting its history and advancements, as well as evidence of resistance against colonial domination. The Origins Centre offers school tours, workshops and public exhibitions. Bring the whole family along for a fun and educational day out. Here's what you can expect to find at the Origins Centre.
Museum Tour & Workshops
The Origins Centre offers school tours and is open to the public for workshops and seminars. The Origins Experience includes a guided tour of the museum's African Origin, Khoisan and Rock Art, and Early Iron Age Art exhibitions. Their workshops cover the use of ochre in the Middle Stone Age in South Africa and provide an insightful look into the ancient Hunter Gatherer way of life.
The Origins Centre strives to promote indigenous knowledge and to foster a love of history, archeology and paleontology in their visitors, both young and old. The museum also offers a series of lectures designed in correlation with the school Social Sciences, Life Sciences and History curriculum. If you are a teacher or parent, book a tour as soon as possible to help bring those textbooks to life! Admission costs just *R45 per learner, so it's well worth your while.
To make a school booking please contact Origins Centre Curator Dr. Tammy Hodgskiss on [email protected] or call 011 717 4700. To book a private tour, please email [email protected].
Upcoming Exhibitions
The Origins Centre is currently hosting their Mental Wellness Walkabout: Music & Memory event on Saturday, 18 May 2024. Join the Origins Centre at 11:00 for a museum walkabout with neurologist and brain health specialist, Dr Kirti Ranchod, and music therapist, Nsamu Moonga.
These specialists will share and give you insights into how music and sound can affect our mental wellbeing. They will also discuss what we have within our traditions and cultures to support mental health.
Entrance for this walkabout is free as it is International Museum Day, but please RSVP to [email protected].
Augmented Reality
While the Origins Centre celebrates the past, they are looking to the future to bring the world of ancient man to you at home. The Centre recently launched its very own AR app. How it works is that the user points their mobile device towards a specific image in the Origins Centre – in the Rock Engraving Archive (REA) or in the Spirit World.
A few seconds later they will be able to see the animal come to life on the screen. You can also download the Origins Centre AR App with your friends and family and see how many animals you can find. If you have the label, this can be done from home. The next phase of the app development will include dinosaurs. We can't wait!
For More Information
Visit www.wits.ac.za/origins.
You can contact them by calling 011 717 4700 / 8 or emailing [email protected].
Don't forget to follow them on Facebook for the latest news, exhibits, events, information and more.
Address: Yale Road, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
