Bacara Spruit
@bacaraspruit.bsky.social
South African archaeologist specialising in ZooMS, stable isotopes, and zooarchaeology.
Current chair of the Southern African Archaeology Student Society https://www.saassarchaeology.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/saassociety.bsky.social
Current chair of the Southern African Archaeology Student Society https://www.saassarchaeology.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/saassociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
The thylacine wasn't a wolf mimic: its skull was a unique mix of canine and marsupial traits, plus features that echo crocs and Spinosaurus. Built for fast, high-impact bites on small prey. medium.com/science-spec...
#Paleontology #Science #Evolution #Tasmania
#Paleontology #Science #Evolution #Tasmania
Not a Wolf After All: How the Thylacine Bit More Like a Croc and Spinosaurus Than a Canine
New study finds the thylacine’s skull was a mosaic of traits with no analogue among living mammalian carnivores
medium.com
September 10, 2026 at 4:37 AM
The thylacine wasn't a wolf mimic: its skull was a unique mix of canine and marsupial traits, plus features that echo crocs and Spinosaurus. Built for fast, high-impact bites on small prey. medium.com/science-spec...
#Paleontology #Science #Evolution #Tasmania
#Paleontology #Science #Evolution #Tasmania
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
New luminescence dating suggests South Dakota's Mammoth Site sinkhole trapped Columbian mammoths 232,000-160,000 years ago, way older than the 42-23k radiocarbon dates once suggested.
#Archaeology #Paleontology #Mammoths #Science #SouthDakota
archaeologyteahouse.com/stories/mamm...
#Archaeology #Paleontology #Mammoths #Science #SouthDakota
archaeologyteahouse.com/stories/mamm...
Mammoth Deathtrap: New Study Pushes South Dakota's Mammoth Trap Back Over 100,000 Years — Archaeology Teahouse
New luminescence dating of sinkhole sediments suggests The Mammoth Site's Columbian mammoths died around 232,000–160,000 years ago, far earlier than radiocarbon indicated
archaeologyteahouse.com
September 10, 2026 at 6:18 AM
New luminescence dating suggests South Dakota's Mammoth Site sinkhole trapped Columbian mammoths 232,000-160,000 years ago, way older than the 42-23k radiocarbon dates once suggested.
#Archaeology #Paleontology #Mammoths #Science #SouthDakota
archaeologyteahouse.com/stories/mamm...
#Archaeology #Paleontology #Mammoths #Science #SouthDakota
archaeologyteahouse.com/stories/mamm...
Last week I gave my talk at UISPP2026 in Poznań 🇵🇱: "From Fragmented Remains to Faunal Reconstruction," on NIR pre-screening and minimally destructive ZooMS at Boomplaas Cave. Grateful to my co-authors and funders for making this work possible 🔬🏛️ #UISPP2026 #FemalesInMS
September 9, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Last week I gave my talk at UISPP2026 in Poznań 🇵🇱: "From Fragmented Remains to Faunal Reconstruction," on NIR pre-screening and minimally destructive ZooMS at Boomplaas Cave. Grateful to my co-authors and funders for making this work possible 🔬🏛️ #UISPP2026 #FemalesInMS
At the XXI UISPP World Congress in Poznań this week. Grateful for the support of Adam Mickiewicz University and Females in Mass Spectrometry (FeMS) in making my participation possible. Looking forward to great talks and connecting with fellow archaeologists 🏛️🔬 #UISPP2026 #FemalesInMS
August 31, 2026 at 2:17 PM
At the XXI UISPP World Congress in Poznań this week. Grateful for the support of Adam Mickiewicz University and Females in Mass Spectrometry (FeMS) in making my participation possible. Looking forward to great talks and connecting with fellow archaeologists 🏛️🔬 #UISPP2026 #FemalesInMS
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
I've started a free archaeology and palaeontology blog: Archaeology Teahouse. New research written up for anyone who's curious, posted there first, plus notes and small finds you won't see anywhere else: archaeologyteahouse.com
Archaeology Teahouse
Field notes, finds, and long reads on archaeology — served warm.
archaeologyteahouse.com
August 17, 2026 at 4:27 AM
I've started a free archaeology and palaeontology blog: Archaeology Teahouse. New research written up for anyone who's curious, posted there first, plus notes and small finds you won't see anywhere else: archaeologyteahouse.com
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
A tooth mistaken for an animal tooth bead sat unnoticed in a museum for years. Turns out it's a 6,700-year-old human canine, drilled and probably worn as a Neolithic pendant in Serbia. archaeologyteahouse.com/stories/neck...
Necklace of the Dead: Archaeologists Discover a Neolithic Pendant, and It Was Made From a Human Tooth — Archaeology Teahouse
A modified maxillary canine from the Late Neolithic site of Jablanica offers rare evidence of human remains used as personal ornaments in the Vinča culture
archaeologyteahouse.com
August 18, 2026 at 4:56 AM
A tooth mistaken for an animal tooth bead sat unnoticed in a museum for years. Turns out it's a 6,700-year-old human canine, drilled and probably worn as a Neolithic pendant in Serbia. archaeologyteahouse.com/stories/neck...
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
Travel back in time with this week's Fieldwork Spotlight! ⏳🦴
The Cave of Hearths Research Project combines archaeology and cutting-edge science to uncover South Africa's deep past while providing hands-on research opportunities for postgraduate students.
Discover more!
The Cave of Hearths Research Project combines archaeology and cutting-edge science to uncover South Africa's deep past while providing hands-on research opportunities for postgraduate students.
Discover more!
August 7, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Travel back in time with this week's Fieldwork Spotlight! ⏳🦴
The Cave of Hearths Research Project combines archaeology and cutting-edge science to uncover South Africa's deep past while providing hands-on research opportunities for postgraduate students.
Discover more!
The Cave of Hearths Research Project combines archaeology and cutting-edge science to uncover South Africa's deep past while providing hands-on research opportunities for postgraduate students.
Discover more!
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
Ancient DNA from four cemeteries near Lake Baikal reveals lethal plague outbreaks 5,500 years ago, pushing the origin of Yersinia pestis back thousands of years to Siberia. Children were hit hardest... medium.com/science-spec...
Plague Is Thousands of Years Older Than We Thought, And It Started in Siberia
Ancient DNA from four hunter-gatherer cemeteries near Lake Baikal reveals lethal Yersinia pestis outbreaks 5,500 years ago, predating known…
medium.com
July 14, 2026 at 4:56 AM
Ancient DNA from four cemeteries near Lake Baikal reveals lethal plague outbreaks 5,500 years ago, pushing the origin of Yersinia pestis back thousands of years to Siberia. Children were hit hardest... medium.com/science-spec...
🧬 Molecules & Meaning: New Frontiers in African Archaeology
From poisoned arrows and pottery residues to ancient diets, climate change, and fragmentary animal remains, discover how ancient molecules are revealing new stories from Africa's past.
#ASAPA2026 #AfricanArchaeology #ArchaeologicalScience
From poisoned arrows and pottery residues to ancient diets, climate change, and fragmentary animal remains, discover how ancient molecules are revealing new stories from Africa's past.
#ASAPA2026 #AfricanArchaeology #ArchaeologicalScience
June 12, 2026 at 9:36 AM
🧬 Molecules & Meaning: New Frontiers in African Archaeology
From poisoned arrows and pottery residues to ancient diets, climate change, and fragmentary animal remains, discover how ancient molecules are revealing new stories from Africa's past.
#ASAPA2026 #AfricanArchaeology #ArchaeologicalScience
From poisoned arrows and pottery residues to ancient diets, climate change, and fragmentary animal remains, discover how ancient molecules are revealing new stories from Africa's past.
#ASAPA2026 #AfricanArchaeology #ArchaeologicalScience
Fantastic insights into lithic miniaturisation
🔬 Archaeology Spotlight 🔬
@justinpargeter.bsky.social studies lithic miniaturization — how past groups made small, complex stone tools to maximise raw materials and innovation.
Read more: www.saassarchaeology.com/specialities...
#Archaeology #AfricanArchaeology #Lithics
@justinpargeter.bsky.social studies lithic miniaturization — how past groups made small, complex stone tools to maximise raw materials and innovation.
Read more: www.saassarchaeology.com/specialities...
#Archaeology #AfricanArchaeology #Lithics
June 1, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Fantastic insights into lithic miniaturisation
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
📢 Fort Bullen of The Gambia
Part of #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite of Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites, Fort Bullen is in Barra, near the Gambia River mouth and built in 1826 as part of the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
#AfricanHeritage #Archaeology #DefenceStructure
Part of #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite of Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites, Fort Bullen is in Barra, near the Gambia River mouth and built in 1826 as part of the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
#AfricanHeritage #Archaeology #DefenceStructure
May 18, 2026 at 1:56 PM
📢 Fort Bullen of The Gambia
Part of #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite of Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites, Fort Bullen is in Barra, near the Gambia River mouth and built in 1826 as part of the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
#AfricanHeritage #Archaeology #DefenceStructure
Part of #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite of Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites, Fort Bullen is in Barra, near the Gambia River mouth and built in 1826 as part of the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
#AfricanHeritage #Archaeology #DefenceStructure
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
Celebrating global heritage on International Museum Day
#AfricanHeritage #InternationalMuseumDay #SAASS
#AfricanHeritage #InternationalMuseumDay #SAASS
May 18, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Celebrating global heritage on International Museum Day
#AfricanHeritage #InternationalMuseumDay #SAASS
#AfricanHeritage #InternationalMuseumDay #SAASS
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
🔬Spotlight
Meet Prof. Justin Bradfield (UJ), specialising in use-wear on bone tools—revealing how tools were made and used.
A powerful method uncovering past human behaviour 🔍
🔗 www.saassarchaeology.com/specialities...
Meet Prof. Justin Bradfield (UJ), specialising in use-wear on bone tools—revealing how tools were made and used.
A powerful method uncovering past human behaviour 🔍
🔗 www.saassarchaeology.com/specialities...
May 1, 2026 at 3:58 PM
🔬Spotlight
Meet Prof. Justin Bradfield (UJ), specialising in use-wear on bone tools—revealing how tools were made and used.
A powerful method uncovering past human behaviour 🔍
🔗 www.saassarchaeology.com/specialities...
Meet Prof. Justin Bradfield (UJ), specialising in use-wear on bone tools—revealing how tools were made and used.
A powerful method uncovering past human behaviour 🔍
🔗 www.saassarchaeology.com/specialities...
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
Recent study reveals Singapore's only known ancient shipwreck carried the world's largest assemblage of Yuan dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, dating the vessel to between 1340–1352. medium.com/science-spec...
Sunken Treasure: Inside Singapore’s Only Known Ancient Shipwreck
Recent study analyzes the cargo of Singapore’s only known ancient shipwreck
medium.com
February 27, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Recent study reveals Singapore's only known ancient shipwreck carried the world's largest assemblage of Yuan dynasty blue-and-white porcelain, dating the vessel to between 1340–1352. medium.com/science-spec...
Reminder: Session on Biomolecular Archaeology in African Archaeology.
Abstracts using biomolecular and scientific methods are welcome.
🗓 Deadline: 31 Jan 2026
🔗 Submit: asapa2026.co.za/submissions....
#CallForAbstracts #Archaeology #AfricanArchaeology #BiomolecularArchaeology
Abstracts using biomolecular and scientific methods are welcome.
🗓 Deadline: 31 Jan 2026
🔗 Submit: asapa2026.co.za/submissions....
#CallForAbstracts #Archaeology #AfricanArchaeology #BiomolecularArchaeology
January 14, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Reminder: Session on Biomolecular Archaeology in African Archaeology.
Abstracts using biomolecular and scientific methods are welcome.
🗓 Deadline: 31 Jan 2026
🔗 Submit: asapa2026.co.za/submissions....
#CallForAbstracts #Archaeology #AfricanArchaeology #BiomolecularArchaeology
Abstracts using biomolecular and scientific methods are welcome.
🗓 Deadline: 31 Jan 2026
🔗 Submit: asapa2026.co.za/submissions....
#CallForAbstracts #Archaeology #AfricanArchaeology #BiomolecularArchaeology
Calling all researchers using biomolecular tools to answer archaeological questions in southern Africa 👇
Join our #ASAPA2026 session Molecules and Meaning: New Frontiers in African Archaeology.
Submit on the ASAPA website: asapa2026.co.za
Join our #ASAPA2026 session Molecules and Meaning: New Frontiers in African Archaeology.
Submit on the ASAPA website: asapa2026.co.za
November 18, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Calling all researchers using biomolecular tools to answer archaeological questions in southern Africa 👇
Join our #ASAPA2026 session Molecules and Meaning: New Frontiers in African Archaeology.
Submit on the ASAPA website: asapa2026.co.za
Join our #ASAPA2026 session Molecules and Meaning: New Frontiers in African Archaeology.
Submit on the ASAPA website: asapa2026.co.za
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
⏳ SDW 2025 extended deadline: 7 Nov 2025!
Apply for the Student Development Workshop (6–10 Dec, SSLI Mpumalanga).
✈️ Limited travel grants available — apply by 11 Nov 2025.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/2025-sdw
#SDW2025 #SAASS #Archaeology #Heritage
Apply for the Student Development Workshop (6–10 Dec, SSLI Mpumalanga).
✈️ Limited travel grants available — apply by 11 Nov 2025.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/2025-sdw
#SDW2025 #SAASS #Archaeology #Heritage
November 4, 2025 at 10:09 AM
⏳ SDW 2025 extended deadline: 7 Nov 2025!
Apply for the Student Development Workshop (6–10 Dec, SSLI Mpumalanga).
✈️ Limited travel grants available — apply by 11 Nov 2025.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/2025-sdw
#SDW2025 #SAASS #Archaeology #Heritage
Apply for the Student Development Workshop (6–10 Dec, SSLI Mpumalanga).
✈️ Limited travel grants available — apply by 11 Nov 2025.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/2025-sdw
#SDW2025 #SAASS #Archaeology #Heritage
Amazing feature on Maritime Archaeology
Great to hear from Cezar Mahumane on such an important aspect of archaeology
Great to hear from Cezar Mahumane on such an important aspect of archaeology
🔍 Careers in Archaeology and Heritage
Meet Cezar Mahumane, Maritime Archaeologist from Mozambique ⚓🌊
He explores shipwrecks, preserves underwater heritage, and connects communities with their maritime past. www.saassarchaeology.com/careersinarc...
Meet Cezar Mahumane, Maritime Archaeologist from Mozambique ⚓🌊
He explores shipwrecks, preserves underwater heritage, and connects communities with their maritime past. www.saassarchaeology.com/careersinarc...
October 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Amazing feature on Maritime Archaeology
Great to hear from Cezar Mahumane on such an important aspect of archaeology
Great to hear from Cezar Mahumane on such an important aspect of archaeology
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
🐾 New blog post!
The first-ever dassie (hyrax) trace fossils—including a fossilised butt-drag mark—have been found on SA’s southern Cape coast 🪶
Read Sandee Oster’s take on this unique discovery:
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/blog
#Archaeology #Fossils #SAASS
The first-ever dassie (hyrax) trace fossils—including a fossilised butt-drag mark—have been found on SA’s southern Cape coast 🪶
Read Sandee Oster’s take on this unique discovery:
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/blog
#Archaeology #Fossils #SAASS
October 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM
🐾 New blog post!
The first-ever dassie (hyrax) trace fossils—including a fossilised butt-drag mark—have been found on SA’s southern Cape coast 🪶
Read Sandee Oster’s take on this unique discovery:
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/blog
#Archaeology #Fossils #SAASS
The first-ever dassie (hyrax) trace fossils—including a fossilised butt-drag mark—have been found on SA’s southern Cape coast 🪶
Read Sandee Oster’s take on this unique discovery:
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/blog
#Archaeology #Fossils #SAASS
Amazing opportunity to be involved
Applications for the 2025 Student Development Workshop are NOW OPEN! 🎉
📅 6–10 Dec 2025 (new dates)
📍 Skukuza, Kruger National Park
Build skills, share research & connect with peers!
Travel grants not open yet—please plan to travel via JHB or Mbombela.
www.saassarchaeology.com/2025-sdw
📅 6–10 Dec 2025 (new dates)
📍 Skukuza, Kruger National Park
Build skills, share research & connect with peers!
Travel grants not open yet—please plan to travel via JHB or Mbombela.
www.saassarchaeology.com/2025-sdw
October 20, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Amazing opportunity to be involved
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
🔍 Careers in Archaeology & Heritage
This month’s spotlight: Wouter Fourie, Principal Heritage Specialist at PGS Heritage 🏛✨ Heritage Specialists balance conservation & development, ensuring the past is protected for the future.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/careersinarc...
#ArchaeologyCareers #Heritage
This month’s spotlight: Wouter Fourie, Principal Heritage Specialist at PGS Heritage 🏛✨ Heritage Specialists balance conservation & development, ensuring the past is protected for the future.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/careersinarc...
#ArchaeologyCareers #Heritage
September 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
🔍 Careers in Archaeology & Heritage
This month’s spotlight: Wouter Fourie, Principal Heritage Specialist at PGS Heritage 🏛✨ Heritage Specialists balance conservation & development, ensuring the past is protected for the future.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/careersinarc...
#ArchaeologyCareers #Heritage
This month’s spotlight: Wouter Fourie, Principal Heritage Specialist at PGS Heritage 🏛✨ Heritage Specialists balance conservation & development, ensuring the past is protected for the future.
👉 www.saassarchaeology.com/careersinarc...
#ArchaeologyCareers #Heritage
Amazing work
#fieldworkfriday
Today for #FieldworkFriday, we highlight the team hard at work uncovering the rich history of Gwalala Hill, an early second-millennium AD Iron Age settlement at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers.
Follow along for more discoveries @thulamelaarch on Instagram
Today for #FieldworkFriday, we highlight the team hard at work uncovering the rich history of Gwalala Hill, an early second-millennium AD Iron Age settlement at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers.
Follow along for more discoveries @thulamelaarch on Instagram
September 12, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Amazing work
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
🔦 #FieldworkFriday 🔦
This #FieldworkFriday we’re highlighting the Wonderboom Archaeological Project! 🪨✨
Led by Drs. Matt Caruana 🇺🇸 & Matt Lotter, the team is uncovering the rich Stone Age history of the Wonderboom Valley in Tshwane.
Proudly supported by NRF and PAST 🙌
This #FieldworkFriday we’re highlighting the Wonderboom Archaeological Project! 🪨✨
Led by Drs. Matt Caruana 🇺🇸 & Matt Lotter, the team is uncovering the rich Stone Age history of the Wonderboom Valley in Tshwane.
Proudly supported by NRF and PAST 🙌
August 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM
🔦 #FieldworkFriday 🔦
This #FieldworkFriday we’re highlighting the Wonderboom Archaeological Project! 🪨✨
Led by Drs. Matt Caruana 🇺🇸 & Matt Lotter, the team is uncovering the rich Stone Age history of the Wonderboom Valley in Tshwane.
Proudly supported by NRF and PAST 🙌
This #FieldworkFriday we’re highlighting the Wonderboom Archaeological Project! 🪨✨
Led by Drs. Matt Caruana 🇺🇸 & Matt Lotter, the team is uncovering the rich Stone Age history of the Wonderboom Valley in Tshwane.
Proudly supported by NRF and PAST 🙌
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
🔍 Careers in Archaeology and Heritage
Meet Dr Keneiloe Molopyane — a dynamic Principal Investigator making groundbreaking contributions to the field!
share.google/H07JkPTODApA...
Meet Dr Keneiloe Molopyane — a dynamic Principal Investigator making groundbreaking contributions to the field!
share.google/H07JkPTODApA...
August 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
🔍 Careers in Archaeology and Heritage
Meet Dr Keneiloe Molopyane — a dynamic Principal Investigator making groundbreaking contributions to the field!
share.google/H07JkPTODApA...
Meet Dr Keneiloe Molopyane — a dynamic Principal Investigator making groundbreaking contributions to the field!
share.google/H07JkPTODApA...
Reposted by Bacara Spruit
Happy #FieldworkFriday! 🎉
This week we’re highlighting the REMA Project — Exploring Stone Age lithic and ochre resource management at Rose Cottage Cave and surrounding areas in the eastern Free State (🇿🇦) and western Lesotho (🇱🇸)!
This week we’re highlighting the REMA Project — Exploring Stone Age lithic and ochre resource management at Rose Cottage Cave and surrounding areas in the eastern Free State (🇿🇦) and western Lesotho (🇱🇸)!
August 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Happy #FieldworkFriday! 🎉
This week we’re highlighting the REMA Project — Exploring Stone Age lithic and ochre resource management at Rose Cottage Cave and surrounding areas in the eastern Free State (🇿🇦) and western Lesotho (🇱🇸)!
This week we’re highlighting the REMA Project — Exploring Stone Age lithic and ochre resource management at Rose Cottage Cave and surrounding areas in the eastern Free State (🇿🇦) and western Lesotho (🇱🇸)!