Southern African Stone Age archaeology and palaeontology in a mining context: the example of Gudrun Corvinus in the diamond mines of the Sperrgebiet, Namibia (1976–1980)

ABSTRACT

Mining operations in Africa have played a considerable role in the reconstruction of human evolution. These contributions would not have been possible without co-operation between the mining industry, archaeology and palaeontology. However, closer scrutiny of their initially fortuitous relationship reveals limitations and fundamental differences in approach. A compelling case study is that of palaeontologist and archaeologist Gudrun Corvinus, employed by Consolidated Diamond Mines in the Sperrgebiet region of Namibia between 1976 and 1980. Corvinus wrote numerous internal mine reports and scientific publications, but also left behind an exhaustive body of private records along with palaeontological and archaeological museum collections. By contrasting this legacy, this paper presents a rich narrative of her attempt to reconcile the fulfilment of her contract requirements with her scientific principles. It sketches a progressively conflict-laden relationship between her and the profit-centred management of a multi-national company. The scientific legacy of Gudrun Corvinus and the historiographical facts and ramifications of this loss of co-operation are discussed in terms of cultural heritage, scientific knowledge and dissemination. Assessing her fight in the naturally and culturally rich environment of the Sperrgebiet, the paper concludes by considering the threat that mining poses to Pleistocene heritage sites in Namibia.

RÉSUMÉ

Les activités minières en Afrique ont joué un rôle considérable dans notre connaisance de l'évolution humaine. Cette contribution n'aurait pas été possible sans une coopération entre l’industrie minière, l’archéologie et la paléontologie. Cependant, un examen plus approfondi de leur relation initialement fortuite révèle des limites et des différences fondamentales dans les approches de terrain et de laboratoire. L’expérience de la paléontologue et archéologue Gudrun Corvinus, employée par les Consolidated Diamond Mines dans la région du Sperrgebiet en Namibie entre 1976 et 1980 illustre tout à fait cette idée. Corvinus a rédigé de nombreux rapports internes pour la mine et publications scientifiques, mais a également laissé derrière elle un corpus exhaustif d’archives privées ainsi que plusieurs collections paléontologiques et archéologiques. En confrontant ces différents corpus, cet article expose et analyse sa tentative de concilier les exigences de son contrat avec la mine et ses principes scientifiques. L’article dessine une relation de plus en plus conflictuelle entre Gudrun Corvinus et la direction d'une multinationale à but lucratif. L’héritage scientifique de cette paléontologue-archéologue et les faits historiographiques permettent de discuter les moteurs de ces conflits. Ces derniers sont discutés à la lumière de questions sur le patrimoine culturel, la construction des discours scientifiques et leur diffusion. Grâce à l’analyse du combat professionel et éthique de Gudrun Corvinus dans le riche environnement naturel et culturel du Sperrgebiet, l’article permet de considerer la menace que représente l’exploitation minière pour le patrimoine pléistocène en Namibie.

KEYWORDS:

• Stone Age
• Namibia
• heritage
• coastal archaeology
• diamond mining
• Gudrun Corvinus

Acknowledgements

Isis Mesfin benefited from financial support from the ED227 of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle of Paris, the French Institute of South Africa – Research and the Fyssen Foundation. We are thankful to the National Museum of Namibia and the Heritage Council of Namibia for authorising and assisting our access to the Gudrun Corvinus collections. Many thanks also go to Robert Mussgnug, Claire Padovani, Maddalena Cataldi, Arnaud Hurel, Brigitte Senut and anonymous reviewers for their comments which improved this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Isis Mesfin

Isis Mesfin is a Fyssen Foundation postdoctoral fellow at the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia de Benguela in Angola. She completed her PhD in 2021 on Middle Pleistocene Acheulean sites in southern and central Africa and more particularly on lithic assemblages from the coastal plain of Angola, Namibia and South Africa.

Ulla Mussgnug

Ulla Mussgnug is a South African-trained social anthropologist at present living in Europe. Since Gudrun Corvinus’ untimely passing, Ulla has been working at updating and revitalising her work and expanding on it with new collaborations.

Emily Hallinan

Emily Hallinan is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellow at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Archaeology and Evolution of Human Behaviour, Faro, Portugal, interested in lithic technology and landscape use in the arid environments of southern Africa.