Talking about deserts

The Namib Desert, often considered the cradle of humanity in the southern hemisphere, has been home to human civilizations for over a million years. This makes it the oldest continuously inhabited desert on Earth, surpassing the deserts of Australia, where people have lived for around 60,000 years, and the deserts of South America, with human habitation dating back approximately 15,000 years. Given its rich history, it was only fitting that Namibia was chosen as the venue for the 6th Southern Deserts Conference which took place in Walvis Bay during the last week of August.

For the first time, Namibia hosted an international conference that brought together archaeologists and scientists from various disciplines. The conference welcomed 62 delegates from 14 different countries, making it a significant global event for desert research. Namibian institutions played a prominent role in the conference, which was organized by the Namib Desert Archaeological Survey. Early-career archaeologists from the National Museum of Namibia, the City of Windhoek Museum, and the National Heritage Council also participated, showcasing the country’s growing contributions to archaeological research.

The 6th Southern Deserts Conference was organized by Dr. John Kinahan (PhD, University of the Witwatersrand) and Dr. Jill Kinahan (PhD, Uppsala University, Sweden) of the Namib Desert Archaeological Survey. This major desert research project was initiated more than 30 years ago by the Namibia Archaeological Trust.

Generous support for the event came from the Namibia Chamber of Environment, while travel funding was provided by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research.

Over the course of five days, delegates braved Walvis Bay’s changing weather to engage in 45 scholarly presentations that highlighted new research from the desert regions of Namibia, Australia, and South America. Topics ranged from studies of ancient climates to detailed investigations of human adaptations in desert environments. One of the key revelations was the existence of surprisingly extensive regional trading networks, with evidence showing the movement of raw materials and ritual objects over vast distances. For the first time, a session on the impact of mining on desert landscapes, archaeology, and the cultural values of marginalized communities was included, reflecting the contemporary challenges these regions face.

The conference also featured several unique highlights. Local artist Jacquie Tarr presented an exhibition of landscape paintings and portraits of Namib Desert inhabitants, offering a cultural dimension to the scientific proceedings. Additionally, Swakopmunder Buchhandlung, a local bookstore, set up a pop-up shop to offer delegates a wide range of desert literature produced by Namibian writers and scholars. Midway through the week, a public lecture on the human history of the Kalahari and Namib deserts was delivered by Professor David Thomas from Oxford University, drawing a capacity audience at the Swakopmund Museum.

For Namibian researchers, the Southern Deserts Conference was a major boost, particularly for those working in relative isolation. It provided invaluable networking opportunities, with discussions about potential internships with Australian research projects offering exciting prospects for young archaeologists.

The high quality of the research presented at the conference will culminate in the publication of a book featuring new desert research, set to be released in the coming year. In keeping with the migratory spirit of desert cultures, the Southern Deserts Conference will move locations once again, with the 7th edition likely to be held in Chile or Argentina in four years' time.