“The current fluctuations in the weather patterns and climate patterns are extensively humanly induced – we are the trigger to the changes we see,” says Professor Innocent Pikirayi, whose groundbreaking research on the role of water in ancient state systems has earned him a B1 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF), marking a remarkable three-step jump from his previous C1 rating.

As a professor of archaeology and Deputy Dean for Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria (UP), Prof Pikirayi's journey is as fascinating as the ancient civilisations he studies. Since joining UP in December 2004, he has established himself as a leading voice in African archaeology.

“My research delves into the heart of ancient complex societies in southern Africa, examining how early states, kingdoms and civilisations like Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe rose, developed and ultimately faced challenges that may have led to their collapse,” he explains. “A central theme in the challenges these societies faced was the management of natural resources such as water and how they dealt with changing climates."

The significance of Prof Pikirayi's work extends far beyond historical curiosity. He believes that understanding our past is crucial to addressing contemporary challenges. His research has revealed that ancient societies battled with changing climates, a phenomenon central to today’s global challenges. By examining detailed climate records, Prof Pikirayi argues that the responses of ancient societies to environmental changes can inform our approach to current climate challenges.

This research earned him an impressive jump in NRF rating, a system that benchmarks the research contributions of scholars both nationally and globally. The COVID-19 pandemic, surprisingly, played a role in this achievement. 

“The pandemic provided me not just with lockdown to sit and worry about what's going to happen to my future, but an opportunity to reflect on my research and write and engage in a manner that would engage not just with southern African situations or imperatives, but with the rest of the world in my discipline,” he says.

Through his work, Prof Pikirayi reminds us that the past is not just a subject of study, but a vital tool for understanding our present and shaping our future. As he puts it: “We have to know where we are coming from to understand not only our present living condition but also to be able to map where we are going as a society.”