Session 4 – Daniels – Archaeology and rock art education

Описание: The COSMO-ART Conference on Rock Art
Rock Art Site Management in Southern Africa: Towards a Cosmopolitan Approach
30 Nov. – 5 Dec. 2025, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, South Africa

Session 4 – 5 December 2025
Zola Daniels (Sol Plaatje University) – Archaeology and rock art education: a cross-cultural examination of the changes in the curriculum in France and South Africa from 1994 to the present

This study presents a comparative analysis of how archaeology and rock art are represented in the school curricula of South Africa and France from 1994 to the present. It investigates how each nation’s educational system incorporates these elements to construct national identity. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a theoretical framework, the research examines curriculum documents, textbooks, and policy statements, alongside interviews with educators, policymakers, archaeologists and tour guides. The study is grounded in the belief that introducing archaeology and rock art to learners at an early stage fosters historical consciousness, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive citizenship. In South Africa, post-apartheid reforms have aimed to decolonise the curriculum and reclaim Indigenous heritage, particularly through the inclusion of San rock art. France, by contrast, presents rock art within a universalist, Eurocentric framework that emphasises prehistoric achievements as national milestones. Through qualitative methodologies including document analysis, interviews, and site observations the study identifies ideological patterns in educational materials and evaluates the tension between policy and practice.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this talk are those of the speakers and are based on their scientific research. They do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the conference organisers.