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eventREF E-0067734Revised

Event record

Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris

Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris

Date
14 Aug 1961
Updated
30 Sep 2019
Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris

Professor Henri Breuil came to South Africa as a part of a six year trip across Southern Africa with a mission to examine rock shelters and rock art. Most of his research in South Africa was conducted with Dr Robert Broom, a paleontologist who was passionate about paleoanthropology. An ordained priest and a great draftsman, Breuil’s interest in Paleolithic art began when he was still in his home country. He travelled throughout the world to countries that boast Paleolithic art; studying and reproducing them in colour. It is Southern Africa’s rich rock art that lured him to the sub continent. Not only did he become an expert in copying and authenticating primitive art, but he also developed a technique for dating the cave paintings. His most important and well known contribution to Paleolithic art is perhaps authenticating the Altamira paintings, which were thought to be forgeries before his analysis of them.  

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How we know this

  1. 01BookRags, ‘Encyclopedia of World Biography on Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil’ [online] Available at www.bookrags.com [Accessed: 8 July 2011]
  2. 02Answers, ‘Henri Breuil’ [online] Available at www.answers.com [Accessed: 8 July 2011]
  3. 03Encyclopedia Britanna, 'Henri Brenuil' ,[online], Available at www.britannica.com [Accessed: 23 August 2013]
  4. 04The African Rock Art Digital  Archive,' Henri Breuil' , [online], Available at www.sarada.co.za [Accessed: 23 August 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, August 12). Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067734

South African History Online (2011) 'Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris', South African History Online, 12 August. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067734 (Accessed: 30 August 2026).

South African History Online, Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067734, (accessed 30 August 2026).

"Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris." South African History Online, 12 Aug. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067734. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Henri Edouard Prosper Breuil (84), French archaeologist who did research with Dr Robert Broom in SA, dies in Paris." South African History Online. August 12, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0067734.

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