Nationality: Zimbabwean

Institution: University of Cape Town

Department: Archaeology

PAST programme support: Degree support

Research title: The MIS 4-3 Middle Stone Age at Diepkloof Rock Shelter (Western Cape Province, South Africa): Technological Traditions, Stability and Changes.

Joseph is a dedicated PhD student in Archaeology at the University of Cape Town, building on his earlier studies at the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Witwatersrand. With a focus on Middle Stone Age studies and lithic technology, he is currently conducting research under the supervision of Professor John Parkington (UCT) and Dr. Guillaume Porraz (CNRS, LAMPEA). Joseph’s doctoral thesis examines human societies during the Pleistocene, particularly focusing on technical innovation through stone tools, titled “The MIS 4-3 Middle Stone Age at Diepkloof Rock Shelter: Technological traditions, stability, and changes.” The analysis is based on an integrated technological approach, including material selection (techno-economy), rock transformation (techno-operative), and instrumentation of tools (techno-functional).

Beyond his research, Joseph is passionate about mentoring students in Archaeology, having served as a teaching assistant for first-year undergraduate courses. He actively engages in fieldwork campaigns, exploring new sites to enrich our understanding of cultural evolution. As a nature enthusiast, he often spends weekends exploring the surrounding landscape.

Post-PhD, Joseph aspires to pursue an academic career, aiming to contribute significantly to archaeological research in southern Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe. By bridging the gap in Stone Age archaeology research in Zimbabwe, he hopes to open new avenues of understanding in the region.