Cherene de Bruyn

Publications

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Journal Publications

de Bruyn, C. (2014).
An archaeological investigation in the Masebe Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province.
The Digging Stick, 31(1), 9–11.

de Bruyn, C., Ralebitso-Senior, K., Scott, K., Panter, H. & Bezombes, F. (2025).
Search, Detect, Recover: A systematic review of UAV-based remote sensing approaches for the location of human remains and clandestine graves.
Drones, 9(10), 674.

Harcombe, M., de Bruyn, C., Shadrach, K., Tembe, E., Bansal, S., Fraser, L., Forssman, T. & Lotter, M. (2020).
The Southern African Archaeology Student Council: Reflecting on the road thus far and reimagining the future.
The Digging Stick, 37(2), 9–13.

de Bruyn, C. & Meyer, A. (2018).
Bioarchaeological analysis of the historic human skeletal remains recovered from Lancaster Mine, Witwatersrand, South Africa.
South African Archaeological Bulletin, 73(207), 4–12.

de Bruyn, C. & Jordaan, J. (2017).
Regional feature: Perspectives from Southern African archaeology professionals.
International Journal of Student Research in Archaeology, 2(3), 2–18.

de Bruyn, C. (2014).
An archaeological investigation in the Masebe Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province.
The Digging Stick, 31(1), 9–11.

Online Science Communication Articles

De Bruyn, C. (June 2026).
Parameters of Animal Self-Medication Behavior. The Observatory Human Bridges. Read Article

Talks

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Oral Presentations & Talks

Making your research matter: policy and practice engagement for doctoral researchers
LJMU Students at the Heart Conference, 16-17 June 2026
Eye in the Sky: Drones on the trail of the missing
FameLab UK Final, 5 June 2026
Computer vision for locating clandestine burial sites using UAV-image data School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science Postgraduate Research Day. Liverpool, UK. 28 May 2026 Programme

About

Thu, 05 May 2016 21:48:51 -0700

I am a South African–born archaeologist and Chevening Scholar alumna who is currently completing my PhD at Liverpool John Moores University.

My doctoral research focuses on clandestine grave location, specifically by optimising two complementary approaches to locate graves using UAV based remote sensing and the grave soil microbiome. My work sits at the intersection of archaeology, geoforensics and forensic ecology. Drawing on my own experience and several collaborations, the aim is to ensure these approaches can support real world forensic practice.

Archaeology Field School Boekenhoutfontein Farm in Phokeng

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Project organisers

Dr Ceri Ashley University of Pretoria, South Africa

Fieldwork dates

2012

Site Description

The former 19th-century estate and country house of the Boer Republic President Paul Kruger, located in the North West Province of South Africa.

My Role

Student Field Assistant

Feature‑focused excavation skills: Excavated ash middens and a possible stable feature, applying controlled methods appropriate to farm‑stead archaeological contexts.
Systematic recording ability: Documented archaeological material through accurate written records and contextual photography.
Provenance‑secure handling: Bagged and labelled finds to maintain clear provenance and organised site documentation.
Artefact processing competence: Washed potsherds, supporting material identification and post‑excavation assessment..

Images

Archaeology Field School in Lephalale

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Project organisers

Dr Ceri Ashley University of Pretoria, South Africa

Fieldwork dates

2011

Site Description

Iron age sites located in Lephelale in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

My Role

Student Field Assistant

Field assistance in CRM excavation: Supported Digby Wells Environmental in excavating and surveying Iron Age sites on Boikarabelo Farm.
Controlled recovery and handling: Collected, bagged, and secured archaeological finds with accurate provenance tracking.
Archaeological recording proficiency: Completed site records, contextual numbers, and photographic documentation to maintain clear, systematic field data..

Archaeology Field School in Sudwala

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Project organisers

Dr. Alex Schoeman University of Pretoria, South Africa

Fieldwork dates

2010

Site Description

Excavations at the Sudwala Caves in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.

My Role

Student Field Assistant

Regional archaeological survey skills: Surveyed the Lydenburg area to identify and document stone kraals and other archaeological features.
Feature‑based excavation: Excavated within the Sudwala Caves, applying controlled methods suited to cave‑site contexts.
Systematic artefact recording: Recorded artefacts through contextual photography and accurate bagging for subsequent analysis.

Clandestine Grave Location

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Project Supervisors

Dr Komang Ralebitso-Senior, Dr Kirstie Scott, Dr Heather Panter, Dr Frederic Bezombes
Liverpool John Moores University, UK

Dates

2024-2028

Research Description

My doctoral research explores a parallel and complementary framework for locating clandestine graves. Specifically, I am looking at two approaches:

UAV‑based remote sensing, to detect surface and environmental anomalies associated with burial
Forensic ecology, using soil microbiomes and ecological change as indicators of decomposition and burial activity

Project Articles

📄 Search, Detect, Recover: UAV-Based Remote Sensing for Grave Detection (2025)
📄 Advancing time-since-interval estimation for clandestine graves (2025)
📄 How do bodies decompose?

Curriculum Vitae

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Download CV

Education

PhD, Liverpool John Moores University (ongoing)
MA Archaeology, University College London (2016–2017)
BA Honours Physical Anthropology, University of Pretoria (2015)
BA Honours Archaeology, University of Pretoria (2013)
BA, University of Pretoria (2010–2012)

Grassridge Archaeological and Palaeo-environmental Project

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Project organisers

Dr Benjamin Collins and Dr. Christopher Ames

Fieldwork dates

2015 & 2016

Site Description

Leakey Foundation and Wenner-Gren Foundation-funded Grassridge Archaeological and Palaeo-environmental Project in the Eastern Cape, south Africa.

My Role

Field and Lab Assistant

Stratigraphic excavation skills: Carried out controlled excavation and detailed field recording of Stone Age artefacts and features, ensuring complete and accurate documentation.
Specialist recovery techniques: Applied field sieving methods to collect and sort lithics, microfauna and ostrich eggshell beads.
Total Station proficiency: Utilised Total Station for accurate in‑situ mapping within excavation grids.
Collections and curation capability: Supported systematic cataloguing, packaging, and preservation of diverse archaeological materials.
Collaborative fieldwork practice — Contributed to efficient excavation workflows through coordinated teamwork and consistent communication.

Images

Project Articles

📄 OpenQuaternary 📄Leakey Foundation

Maremani Nature Reserve Excavation

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Project organisers

Dr Xander Antonites University of Pretoria, South Africa

Fieldwork dates

2013

Site Description

Middle Iron Age site excavations at the Maremani Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

My Role

Student Field Assistant

Field excavation: Participated in controlled excavation and systematic documentation of an Iron Age settlement.
Archaeological recording skills: Supported accurate record‑keeping, photographic documentation, and contextual noting of features and finds.
Collections handling ability: Assisted with cataloguing and cleaning artefacts to maintain clear provenance and organised site records.

Images

Pretoria Archaeology Club for Schools Archaeology Olympics

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Outreach Activity

As a member of the Southern African Archaeology Student Council,I volunteered at the Pretoria Archaeology Club for Schools (PACS) Archaeology Olympics. The event was hosted at Mamelodi High School in Pretoria, South Africa, and aimed to introduce learners to archaeology in a fun, interactive, and competitive way.

Groups of school learners rotated through a series of archaeology‑themed stations, completing hands‑on tasks designed to teach core archaeological concepts. The fastest team to complete all activities was crowned the winner, turning learning into a lively and engaging challenge.

Pretoria Archaeology Club for Schools Open Day

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Outreach Activity

As a member of the Southern African Archaeology Student Council, I volunteered at the Pretoria Archaeology Club for Schools (PACS) Open Day. The event was hosted at Mamelodi High School in Pretoria, South Africa, and introduced learners to hands‑on archaeological activities, demonstrations, and discussions designed to spark interest in the discipline.

Date

May 2019

Images

Umbelli Beli Middle Stone Age Excavation

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Project organisers

Prof. Nicholas Conrad and Dr. Gregor Badar University of Tübingen in Germany

Fieldwork dates

2015 & 2018

Site Description

Middle Stone Age Rockshelter located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.

My Role

Field and Lab Assistant

Excavation: Stratigraphic excavation and detailed field recording within a Middle Stone Age rock shelter context.
Analytical recovery methods: Applied systematic sieving techniques to isolate and retain small lithic materials for specialist analysis.
Material processing proficiency: Performed meticulous washing, labelling, and organisation of artefacts to maintain accurate provenance and documentation.
Collections management skills: Contributed to structured cataloguing and careful packing of diverse archaeological materials to support long‑term curation and research integrity.

Images

Project Articles

📄 KwaZulu-Natal Branch Newsletter

Cherene de Bruyn

Publications

Table of Contents

Journal Publications

Online Science Communication Articles

Talks

Table of Contents

Oral Presentations & Talks

About

Archaeology Field School Boekenhoutfontein Farm in Phokeng

Project organisers

Fieldwork dates

Site Description

My Role

Images

Archaeology Field School in Lephalale

Project organisers

Fieldwork dates

Site Description

My Role

Archaeology Field School in Sudwala

Project organisers

Fieldwork dates

Site Description

My Role

Clandestine Grave Location

Project Supervisors

Dates

Research Description

Project Articles

Curriculum Vitae

Table of Contents

Education

Grassridge Archaeological and Palaeo-environmental Project

Project organisers

Fieldwork dates

Site Description

My Role

Images

Project Articles

Maremani Nature Reserve Excavation

Project organisers

Fieldwork dates

Site Description

My Role

Images

Pretoria Archaeology Club for Schools Archaeology Olympics

Outreach Activity

Pretoria Archaeology Club for Schools Open Day

Outreach Activity

Date

Images

Umbelli Beli Middle Stone Age Excavation

Project organisers

Fieldwork dates

Site Description

My Role

Images

Project Articles