Event Report
Date: Thursday, 19 February 2026 | 17:30
Venue: The Simon’s Town Museum, The Residency, 3 Court Road, Simon’s Town
On Thursday evening, 19 February 2026, members of the Western Cape Branch gathered at the historic Simon’s Town Museum for a compelling presentation on the archaeological and historical landscape of the Cape Peninsula. Presented by Nicholas Wiltshire and Jim Hallinan. The audience comprised members of the South African Archaeological Society (ArchSoc) and the Simon’s Town Civic Association (STCA).
We thank Nic and Jim for their insightful contributions, and the Simon’s Town Museum for hosting the event. Their presentations can be viewed below. Please note that the presentations are COMBINED into a single document.
Nicholas Wiltshire: “Deep Time in the Deep South: Archaeological sites and the history of the Cape Peninsula”
Nic Wiltshire, Director of CTS Heritage and OpenHeritage and current Honorary Treasurer of ArchSoc, opened the evening with a focus on the Stone Age archaeology of the Cape Peninsula. Holding an MSc in Archaeology from the University of Cape Town, Nic brings over 20 years of experience in the heritage sector, with specialist expertise in rock art, Stone Age archaeology and GIS.
His presentation explored the rich archaeological record of the Peninsula, highlighting significant Stone Age sites and their broader cultural and scientific importance. Drawing on his extensive professional background — including his role as SAHRIS Project Manager and developer, and his work with Heritage Western Cape — Nic provided valuable insight into how archaeological resources are documented, managed and protected within South Africa’s heritage framework.
Jim Hallinan
Jim Hallinan followed with a presentation that bridged the historical past and present-day management of heritage resources in the Cape Peninsula. Having lived and worked in the region for over 30 years — including roles as Nature Conservation Manager at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cultural Heritage Resources Manager for Table Mountain National Park — Jim brought a deeply contextual and interpretive perspective to the discussion.
As a specialist in Environmental Interpretation and a well-known public speaker, Jim examined the Peninsula’s colonial and more recent historical layers, as well as the ongoing challenges and responsibilities of conserving both natural and cultural heritage within an urban and protected landscape setting.
