Janette Deacon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janette Deacon
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| Born | 25 November 1939 Cape Town, South Africa
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| Nationality | South African |
| Alma mater | University of Cape Town |
| Spouse(s) | Hilary John Deacon |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Honorary Doctorate from University of Cape Town |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Archaeology, rock art management |
| Institutions | formerly at National Monuments Council, now South African Heritage Resources Agency, Honorary Professor of Archaeology at the University of South Africa, Honorary Research Associate at the Rock Art Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand |
| Thesis | The Later Stone Age in the southern Cape, South Africa. (1982) |
| Doctoral advisor | John Parkington |
Janette Deacon (born 25 November 1939) is a well-known South African archaeologist. She is an expert in protecting old historical sites and saving ancient rock art. She has studied how stone tools changed over the past 20,000 years. This research helped us understand how people lived during different climate periods.
Janette Deacon also found rock engravings in places where the /Xam people lived. These were the people who shared their stories with researchers like Wilhelm Bleek and Lucy Lloyd in the 1800s. She played a big part in protecting South Africa's history. She worked with important groups like the SAHRA and Heritage Western Cape.
Early Life and Learning
Janette Buckland was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Her birthday is November 25, 1939. She went to the Rustenburg School for Girls in Cape Town.
Later, she studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She earned her first degree in 1960. She continued her studies, getting a Master's degree in 1969. In 1982, she completed her PhD. For her PhD, she studied ancient stone tools. These tools came from famous caves like Nelson Bay Cave. Her research helped us learn about the Later Stone Age in South Africa.
Her Work and Discoveries
After finishing her first degree, Janette Deacon worked as a research assistant. She also taught archaeology at UCT from 1962, and again from 1972 to 1975. From 1976 to 1988, she was a researcher at Stellenbosch University.
Janette Deacon was also the editor of the South African Archaeological Bulletin. This is a magazine where archaeologists share their findings. She edited it from 1976 to 1993. Since 1997, she has been the Honorary Secretary of the South African Archaeological Society.
In 1989, she became an archaeologist at the National Monuments Council (NMC). This group helps protect important historical places. She worked there until she retired in 1999. During this time, she helped write a new law. This law, called the National Heritage Resources Act, helps protect South Africa's heritage.
After retiring, she became the first chairperson for Heritage Western Cape (HWC). This is a local group that protects heritage sites. She served from 2002 to 2007. She also helped arrange courses and workshops. These were to help get rock art sites added to the World Heritage List. This list includes places around the world that are very important.
In 2016, UCT gave her a special award. She received an honorary doctorate for her amazing work. This award recognized her contributions to archaeology and rock art research.
Special Awards
- 2016: Awarded an honorary doctorate in literature from the University of Cape Town
- 2013: Western Cape Heritage Award for rock art management
- 2010: UNESCO medal for rock art international archive. This celebrated 60 years of UNESCO and the World Heritage Convention.
- 2008: Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists Life Membership award and medal
- 2004: Western Cape Arts, Culture and Heritage Award (Archaeology)
- 1996: South African Archaeological Society President’s Medal
Family Life
Janette Deacon was married to Hilary Deacon. He was also an archaeologist and taught at Stellenbosch University. He passed away in 2010. They had three children together.
