Profile Summary

In Brief

Charles Brain is an eminent South African paleontologist who has studied and taught African cave taphonomy for more than fifty years. He is an Honorary Professor of Zoology at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has directed comprehensive archaeological study of Swartkrans caves, with more than 200 hominid specimens found, mostly Paranthropus robustus, plus animal fossils, stone and bone tools, remains of Homo ergaster, thought to be predecessor of Homo sapiens.

Professional

Directorship(s)

Director - Transvaal Museum, Pretoria

(1968 - 1991)

Deputy Director & Keeper - Zoology, National Museum of Zimbabwe

(1965 - 1968)

Current Position(s)

Honorary Professor - Zoology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

(1985 - present)

Emeritus Curator - Transvaal Museum, Pretoria

Honorary Associate Editor - Journal of Taphonomy

Previous Position(s)

Curator - Palaeontology, Display & Tech Departments, Transvaal Museum

(1965 - 1968)

Curator - Lower Vertebrate Department, National Museum of Rhodesia

(1957 - 1961)

Research Fellow - Palaeontology, Transvaal Museum

(1954 - 1957)

Education

Honorary Degree(s)

University of the Witwatersrand

Honorary Doctor of Science

University of Pretoria and Amsterdam

Honorary Doctor of Science

University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Honorary Doctor of Science

University of Cape Town

Honorary Doctor of Science

Degree(s)

University of the Witwatersrand

Doctor of Philosophy

University of the Witwatersrand

Doctor of Science

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Science

Trade Qualification(s)

IAC

FSAMA

FRSSAf

Noteworthy Events and Interesting Facts

Achievements

Publications

On Astrophys & History of Science

Author

Personal

Family

Marital Status: Married to Laura Helena Kraan      Sons: 2      Daughters: 2

Father: Charles Kimberlin Dr Brain      Mother: Zoe