Origins recieves exquisite upgrade
JOBURG – The Origins Centre Museum at Wits University receives an exciting upgrade.
Rock carvings, which have stood for many years without being preserved, will find a new home.
The Origins Centre has been a part of the community for more than 10 years and was used for a number of functions prior to it becoming the home of the historical bushman exhibition – a permanent exhibition for which Origins is best known.
Approaching the new year, an additional wing has been built for some new additions to the exhibits currently on display. The new wing, which is set to officially open at the end of January, will house ancient rock art.
“The boulders have engravings chipped out by the bushman. These rocks came from the former Transvaal and they were collected in the 60s by an archaeologist who was trying to create a museum of bushman art, which was supposed to be at the Joburg Zoo,” explained Steven Sack, chief executive officer of the Origins Centre.
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“They brought all the rocks to the zoo and they sat there for 50 years and didn’t build the museum. Now, because they weren’t in the right environment they began to crack and grow mould.
“So the rocks were moved here to the Wits campus and they’ve been here for about 20 years, sitting in the school of law building, and then six years ago we got the money to build the new wing.”
The neglected rocks and boulders will fill up three floors in the new wing of the centre, with giant boulders being placed at the bottom and the smaller rock art pieces on the upper floors.
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The intricate and detailed works of art depict animals in their natural habitats, sometimes the engravings depict people and human-like figures in that day, and some of the art even shows traces of modernisation through abstract etchings.
Don’t miss out on this new addition to the centre and don’t forget about the Origin of Life permanent exhibition as well.
Details: 011 717 4700; www.origins.org.za
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