Wallpaper was a huge decor trend during the Victorian Era (1837-1901). But not just any wallpaper – Scheele’s Green wallpaper. Victorian wallpaper was brightly coloured and often full of floral designs. Green wallpaper used to fade quickly and turn an undesirable brown shade.  This all changed in 1775 when the Swedish chemist Carl Scheele invented the first arsenic green pigment.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) was founded on 30 July 1921 during a conference that was held in Cape Town from 30 July to 1 August 1921. The party was established mainly by left-wing white socialists and workers who had personally experienced the struggles of the European working class during the first two decades of the 20th century.

Image: An artist’s impression of Dragon Man in their habitat by Chuang Zhao.

A 146 000 year old, almost complete skull was found in the Songhua River in China. This represents a new sister lineage for Homo sapiens.

Oliewenhuis Art Museum has made two exciting new acquisitions to its permanent collection. The first is entitled Ndebele Abstract by Dr Ester Mahlangu and the second is entitled Beloved Mother by Motseokae Klas Thibeletsa. Both artworks were purchased in 2021 and are on display at Oliewenhuis Art Museum.

Two scientists from the National Museum were involved in the description of 20 new species of terrestrial invertebrates in the last financial year. These new species were described in international journals and consists of 17 mite species and 3 dung beetles species. The researchers involved are Dr Lizel Hugo- Coetzee and Dr Gimo Daniel from the Department of Terrestrial Invertebrates at the National Museum.