Jury report for Prof. J.W.M. (Wil) Roebroeks

Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology at Leiden University

Professor Roebroeks receives the NWO/Spinoza Prize 2007 for his original observations about early hominins and the development of human society.

Wil Roebroeks (5 May 1955, Sint-Geertruid) graduated with distinction in social and economic history at the University of Nijmegen in 1979. After a postgraduate course in archaeology in Leiden, he gained his doctorate there with distinction in 1989 for his NWO-sponsored study into the Palaeolithic period in the Netherlands. His popular scientific book 'Oermensen in Nederland' [Early humans in the Netherlands], in which he described his research won the KIJK / Wetenschapsweek prize in 1991. At the start of the 1990s he played a leading role in a large joint European project about the earliest occupation of Europe. In 1994 he received a pioneer subsidy from NWO for research into human life in the Ice Age. Two years later he became a professor at Leiden University, where from 2000 to 2005 he was also scientific director of the research school ARCHON. He has been a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2001.

Wil Roebroeks investigates the archaeology of early hominins. From the perspective of various scientific disciplines he tries to answer questions about the origin of humans and the development of human societies. He bases his ideas on physical remnants, artefacts and traces of activity. His combination of his own extensive fieldwork and unique analyses have yielded him a pivotal position within archaeology.

Wil Roebroeks is the most prominent Dutch archaeologist at both a national and international level. He is a highly independent and unorthodox researcher. For example, recently he drew worldwide attention with a publication in Nature, together with Robin Dennell of the University of Sheffield, about the cradle of humanity. According to the prevailing view early hominins (Homo erectus) spread from Africa to Asia about two million years ago. Roebroeks and Dennell demonstrated that this hypothesis needs to be revised: there was far more two-way traffic between the two continents and it might also be the case that Homo erectus evolved in Asia and then colonised Africa.

This controversial publication is typical of Roebroeks' approach. He thinks in an original manner about the analysis and integration of evidence from different sources. In his analyses he gives priority to his own interpretations and observations and not to prevailing views. Key to his approach is a critical analysis of the source material.

Roebroeks is an innovative, original archaeologist who embraces the debate in his field. For example, in the past he has adopted controversial standpoints about the migrations of people in the Palaeolithic period (the period up until about 10,000 years ago), about the first colonisation of Europe, and about the behaviour of Neanderthals (who he believes were far more intelligent than is often assumed). At present he is investigating the communication and cognition of Neanderthals in an NWO project.

Despite his passion for scientific debates, Roebroeks is a team player. He knows how to bring together people of different ages and backgrounds in research and joint publications. Thanks to these characteristics he is a magnetic attraction for young talent. The Spinoza committee hopes that with his Spinoza Prize, Roebroeks will not only make controversial discoveries but in doing so will also enthuse new scientific talent for his discipline.

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This jury report served as the basis for the speech given by Dr Hans van Eekelen upon the announcement of the NWO/Spinoza Prizes 2007 on 4 June 2007.