<p>Behind one of science’s greatest breakthroughs lies a darker story of skulls measured, bodies taken, and lives diminished in the name of science. The discovery of the Taung Child helped prove humanity’s African origins, yet it unfolded within a world built on racism, colonial power, and exploitation. From Mapungubwe’s golden treasures to Johannesburg’s mining compounds, we trace how Dart’s legacy entwined brilliance with harm: collecting human remains like specimens, his efforts to claim the body of a young San woman named Kiri-Kiri, and reinforcing systems that dehumanised the people he studied.</p><br><p>This episode was produced in partnership with The Human Evolution Research Institute (<a href="https://www.heriuct.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERI</a>) and the University of Cape Town.</p><p>This series draws on original research published in the South African Journal of Science special issue, <a href="https://sajs.co.za/article/view/20667" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“The Taung Child then and now: Commemorating its centenary in a postcolonial age.”</a></p><br><p><strong>Special thanks to our guests in this episode:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Prof. Rebecca Ackermann, PhD — Biological anthropologist, University of Cape Town; Co-Director, Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI)</li><li>Dr. Lauren Schroeder, PhD — Paleoanthropologist; University of Toronto</li><li>Dr. Mirriam Tawane, PhD — Curator of Plio-Pleistocene Palaeontology, DITSONG: National Museum of Natural History (Pretoria).</li><li>Christa Kuljian — Research associate; WiSER (WITS)</li><li>Nashada Ndango - Guide; San Heritage Center !Khwa ttu</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources &amp; Links&nbsp;</strong></p><br><p><a href="http://arcdocs.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ARC</a>: <a href="http://arcdocs.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">arcdocs.org</a></p><p><a href="https://www.heriuct.co.za/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERI</a>: <a href="https://www.heriuct.co.za" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.heriuct.co.za</a></p><p><a href="https://sajs.co.za/article/view/20667" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SAJS Special Issue</a>: https://sajs.co.za/article/view/20667</p><p><a href="http://patreon.com/Arc_org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ARC Angel</a>: http://patreon.com/Arc_org</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/arcdocs.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a>: https://www.facebook.com/arcdocs.org</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/arc_docs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>: https://www.instagram.com/arc_docs/</p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@arcdocs.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tiktok</a>: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@arcdocs.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tiktok.com/@arcdocs.org</a></p><br><p><br></p><p><strong>Support the Show&nbsp;</strong></p><p>● Subscribe on <strong>Apple Podcasts </strong>and <strong>Spotify </strong>and leave a review</p><p>● Become an <strong>ARC Angel </strong>on Patreon for exclusive content</p><br><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow Us&nbsp;</strong></p><p>● TikTok: @arcdocs.org&nbsp;</p><p>● Instagram: @arc_docs&nbsp;</p><p>● Facebook: ARC Docs&nbsp;</p><br><p>Unburied is a production by ARC in partnership with the University of Cape Town and the Human Evolution Research Institute. Written, produced, and sound designed by Rasmus Bitsch and Neil Liddell. Hosted by Rasmus Bitsch, journalist and podcast creator.</p><br><p><strong>Sound bites from:</strong></p><p>YouTube - danaoja - Germany Invades Poland-France and Britain Declares War</p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>