Draft:James Harvey Chaplin

James "Jim" Harvey Chaplin (16 September 1924 – 31 March 1967) was a British archaeologist and anthropologist who studied rock art in East and Central Africa, primarily.

Career

Publications

• Chaplin, J. H. (13 August 1950). "Rime and the reason" (Photograph). . Published in: "Weather Photographic Competition Results". Weather. 8 (1): 27, plate 3. January 1953. ISSN 0043-1656. doi:10.1002/j.1477-8696.1953.tb02582.x, 10.1002/j.1477-8696.1953.tb02580.x.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1954). "On some aspects of rainfall in Northern Rhodesia : Part I ; Part II". The Northern Rhodesia Journal. 2 (IV; VI): 32–38; 16–23, table I. Google Books 7B8OAQAAMAAJ. NRZam V2N4, V2N6.
• Chaplin, J. H. (September 1954). "On the Wet Season in Northern Rhodesia". Weather. 9 (9): 272–275. doi:10.1002/j.1477-8696.1954.tb01818.x. ISSN 0043-1656.
• Chaplin, J. H. (January–February 1955). "On the Reliability of Rainfall in Northern Rhodesia". Rhodesia Agricultural Journal. 52 (1): 33–34. Google Books WckmAQAAIAAJ.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1956) [MS. received 3 January 1954]. "A Note on Snow Crystal Types in the Falkland Islands Dependencies". Journal of Glaciology. 2 (20): 733–734. doi:10.3189/S0022143000024990. ISSN 0022-1430.
• Chaplin, J. H., ed. (1956). "The Cost of Exploring the Zambezi: 1859". The Northern Rhodesia Journal. 3 (2): 164–170. Google Books QCAOAQAAMAAJ. NRZam V3N2.
• Chaplin, J. H. (December 1956). "A Note on Mancala Games in Northern Rhodesia". Man. 56 193: 168–170. doi:10.2307/2793414. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2793414.
• Chaplin, James H. (December 1956). "African Weather-Lore". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 11 (44): 111–112. doi:10.2307/3886589. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3886589.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1957). "A Note on the Brother-Sister Relationship in Northern Rhodesia". Ethnos. 22 (1–2): 15–19. doi:10.1080/00141844.1957.9980831. eISSN 1469-588X. ISSN 0014-1844.
• Chaplin, J. H. (May–June 1957). "Sunshine in Northern Rhodesia". Rhodesia Agricultural Journal. 54 (3): 264–272. Google Books pK4mAQAAIAAJ.
• Chaplin, J. H. (October 1957). "On the Making of a Chitumwa: A Northern Rhodesian Protective Amulet". Man. 57 184: 148–150. doi:10.2307/2793847. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2793847.
• Chaplin, J. H. (June 1958). "A Note on Central African Dream Concepts". Man. 58 119: 90–92. doi:10.2307/2795427. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2795427.
• Chaplin, J. H. (March 1959). "The Munwa Stream Rock-Engravings". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 14 (53): 28–34. doi:10.2307/3886743. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3886743.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1959). "A preliminary note on the rainbow in Africa South of the Sahara". Ethnos. 24 (3–4): 151–171. doi:10.1080/00141844.1959.9980870. ISSN 0014-1844.
• Chaplin, J. H. (October 1959). "A Note on Some Central African Forenames". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 29 (4): 384–390. doi:10.2307/1157927. ISSN 0001-9720. JSTOR 1157927.
• Chaplin, J. H. (May 18–22, 1960). Boughey, A. S. (ed.). A preliminary account of Iron Age burials with gold in the Gwembe Valley, Northern Rhodesia. First Federal Science Congress. Salisbury (published 1962). pp. 397–406.
• Chaplin, J. H. (June 1960). "Some Unpublished Rock-Paintings of Northern Rhodesia". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 15 (58): 45–49. doi:10.2307/3886721. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3886721.
  • Corrections in: "Corrigenda". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 15 (59): 124. September 1960. doi:10.2307/3886572. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3886572.
• Chaplin, J. H. (June 1961). "Notes on Traditional Smelting in Northern Rhodesia". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 16 (62): 53–60, plates I–II. doi:10.2307/3886869. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3886869.
• Roux, Edward; Rijswijck, O. van; Cole‐Beuchat, P‐D.; Sansom, Basil L.; Birkinshaw, P. C.; Rita‐Ferreira, A.; Malan, B. D.; Chaplin, J. H. (1961). "Book reviews". African Studies. 20 (2): 133–144. doi:10.1080/00020186108707136. ISSN 0002-0184.^{[full citation needed]}
• Chaplin, J. H. (1961). "Suicide in Northern Rhodesia". African Studies. 20 (3): 145–174. doi:10.1080/00020186108707137. ISSN 0002-0184.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1961). "A Note on African Taxes and Tax Stamps". The Northern Rhodesia Journal. 4: 443–445. Google Books yCAOAQAAMAAJ. NRZam V4N5.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1961). "A Note on Forts in the Eastern Province". The Northern Rhodesia Journal. 4: 462–468. Google Books yCAOAQAAMAAJ. NRZam V4N5.
• Chaplin, J. H. (December 1961). "Diffusion and Invention". Discussion and Criticism. Current Anthropology. 2 (5): 501. ISSN 0011-3204. JSTOR 2739790.
• Chaplin, J. H. (December 1961). "A Note on Rock Grooves in Northern Rhodesia". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 16 (64): 149, plate I. doi:10.2307/3887305. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3887305.
• Chaplin, J. H. (March 1962). "Further Unpublished Examples of Rock-Art from Northern Rhodesia". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 17 (65): 5–13. doi:10.2307/3886929. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3886929.
• Chaplin, J. H. (April 1962). "Wiving and Thriving in Northern Rhodesia". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 32 (2): 111–122. doi:10.2307/1158179. ISSN 0001-9720. JSTOR 1158179.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1962). "Notes on Some Sites in Soli History". The Northern Rhodesia Journal. 5 (1): 50–55. Google Books MyEOAQAAMAAJ. NRZam V5N1.
• Chaplin, J. H. (December 1962). "[Review of] Rock Engravings from Driekops Eiland and Other Sites South-West of Johannesburg. Lina M. Slack. Centaur Press, London, 1962. £8 8s. (R16.80)". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 17 (68): 243. doi:10.2307/3887439. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3887439.
• Chaplin, J. H. (May 1963). "Some Aspects of Folk Art in Northern Rhodesia". Man. 63 (4) 81: 69–72. doi:10.2307/2797966. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2797966.
• Chaplin, James H. (October 1963). "A Report on Sexual Behavior: Six Case Histories from Northern Rhodesia". Advances in Sex Research. 1 Chapter 2: 13–26. ISSN 1934-5984. JSTOR 3811190.
• Chaplin, J. H. (October 1963). "Moslem Prayer Places". Correspondence. Man. 63 (9) 198: 162. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2795707.
• Chaplin, J. H. (April 1964). "Rock-Engravings at Nyambwezu, Northern Rhodesia". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 19 (73): 13–14. doi:10.2307/3888110. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3888110.
• Chaplin, J. H. (March 1965). "[Review of] The Rock Paintings of Tassili. Jean-Dominique Lajoux. Thames & Hudson, London 1963. £3.15s (204 pp. 164 plates, 23 in colour)". The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 20 (77): 37. doi:10.2307/3887902. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3887902.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1965). "[Review of] COON, Carleton S. The Origin of Races. London, Jonathan Cape. 1963, xli, 724, xxipp. 32 Pls. 84 Figs. 13 maps. 63s". Book Reviews. Bulletin of the Institute of Archaeology. No. 5. University of London, Institute of Archaeology. p. 91. JSTOR community.35555378.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1965). "[Review of] LAJOUX, J.D. The Rock Paintings of Tassili. London, Thames and Hudson. 1963. 202 pp. 164 Pls, 23 in colour. Maps. £3 15s. [and] WILLCOX, A. R. The Rock Art of South Africa. London, Nelson. 1963. 144 pp. 32 Pls, 20 in colour. £4 10s". Book Reviews. Bulletin of the Institute of Archaeology. No. 5. University of London, Institute of Archaeology. pp. 91–92. JSTOR community.35555378.
• Chaplin, James H. (September–October 1965). "[reply to] The Study of Beads". Man. 65 (4) 154: 157. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2796088.
• Chaplin, J. H. (December 1965) [11 June 1965]. "Smelting and Rock Art". Correspondence. The South African Archaeological Bulletin. 20 (80): 216–216. doi:10.2307/3887830. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3887830.
• Chaplin, James H. (April 1966). "Haloes at Low Altitudes". Letters to the Editor. Weather. 21 (4): 147. doi:10.1002/j.1477-8696.1966.tb02835.x. ISSN 0043-1656.
• Chaplin, James H. (June 1966) [11 September 1965]. "On Tool-Use and Crowded Teeth : by James H. Chaplin". Discussion and Criticism. Current Anthropology. 7 (3): 357 (title on p. 355). ISSN 0011-3204. JSTOR 2740062.
• Chaplin, J. H. (September 1966). "Comments : by J. H. Chaplin ; References Cited". Current Anthropology. 7 (4): 469, 481–484. ISSN 0011-3204. JSTOR 3880305.
• Chaplin, James H. (September 1966). "[first comment on] Modern decorative patterns of the southern Bantu". Correspondence. Man. 1 (3): 399. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2796803.
• Chaplin, James Harvey (1966–1967). The prehistoric art of the Lake Victoria region (M.A. thesis). Kampala, Uganda: Makerere University College, University of East Africa. Makerere University Library Catalogue: chamo:153599, chamo:29506; 109014 (AF); Call Number U 01 C43; Barcode 001065947[1?].
  • Reproduced in part in: Chaplin, J. H. (January 1974). Harlow, M. A. B. (ed.). "The Prehistoric Rock Art of the Lake Victoria Region". Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa. 9 (1): 1–50. doi:10.1080/00672707409511714. ISSN 0067-270X.
• Chaplin, J. H. (June 1967). "Rock-drawings from the Lake Victoria Region". Antiquity. 41 (162): 146–147, plates XVIII–XIX. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00112815. ISSN 0003-598X.
• Chaplin, J. H. (1967). "Vernacular month names from Zambia". African Studies. 26 (3): 145–169. doi:10.1080/00020186708707262. ISSN 0002-0184.
• Chaplin, J. H.; McFarlane, M. (1967). "The Moniko Petroglyphs". The Uganda Journal. 31 (2): 207–209, unnumbered page of figures. ISSN 0041-574X. LCCN 52026895. OCLC 1644239.
• Posnansky, Merrick; Chaplin, J. H. (December 1968). "Terracotta Figures from Entebbe, Uganda". Man. 3 (4): 644–650. doi:10.2307/2798585. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2798585.

Job positions

• c. 1950: member of the Meteorological Department of the Northern Rhodesian Government^[1]
• 1957 – 1962: Inspector of Monuments on the Commission for the Preservation of Natural and Historical Monuments and Relics^[1][2]
• ...: Director of Antiquities in Uganda^[1]
• 1965–...: Inspector of Monuments at the Department of Antiquities^[3]
• c. 1966 – 1967: Curator of Monuments for Uganda^[4]

"the first executive officer of the Monuments Commission"^[5]

Activities and affiliations

• 1949–1950: participated in the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, assigned to Port Lockroy^[6]
• 1951 December 17: elected for Fellowship with the Royal Geographical Society^[7]
• 1957 December: became a member of the South African Archaeological Society^[8]
• [1957–1958]: accompanied an International Geophysical Year expedition to climb Mount Kenya^[1]
• c. 1963: received a minor grant for research on East Africa from the Emslie Horniman Anthropological Scholarship Fund^[9][10]
• c. 1965: became a Life Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland^[11]
• c. 1966 – 1967: assisted in the editing of the Uganda Journal^[4][12]

Education

• 1962 – 1964 June: Post-graduate Diploma in Prehistoric Archaeology from the University of London's Institute of Archaeology^[1][13]
• ...–1966: M.A. from the African Studies Program at the Makerere University College of the University of East Africa, supervised by Professor Merrick Posnansky^[14][4]

Life

Chaplin was born on 16 September 1924^[15] to Harvey Hopper and Evelyn Bessie, and baptized 2 November 1924 in the Parish of Greenhill in the County of Middlesex.^[16] Chaplin grew up in London.^[1]

Chaplin was Christian and regularly donated a tithe to charity.^[1] His interests included mountaineering.^[1] He was homosexual, and some people may have discriminated against him as a result.^[17] He was friendly with Africans, which could be another reason why others may have disregarded him.^[17]

Chaplin was killed in a hit and run while standing on the curb^[18] in Kampala,^[1] and died 31 March 1967 at New Mulago Hospital.^[19] He was buried at Kampala European Cemetery.^[20] In his will, he gave a bequest to the Royal Anthropological Institute of £600 "for the improvement or extension of the Institutes library facilities",^[21] which they spent mostly on books about primitive art,^[22][23] since that aligned with his interests.^[24]

References

1. Clark, J. Desmond (January 1974). "JAMES HARVEY CHAPLIN". Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa. 9 (1): vii–viii. doi:10.1080/00672707409511713. eISSN 1945-5534. ISSN 0067-270X.
2. Phillipson, D. W. (1976). The prehistory of eastern Zambia. Internet Archive. Nairobi: British Institute in Eastern Africa. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-500-97003-4. Internet Archive prehistoryofeast0000phil.
3. Mehari, Asmeret Ghebreigziabiher (2015). Practicing and Teaching Archaeology in East Africa: Tanzania and Uganda (PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Florida. pp. 122–123, 148–149, 168–169, 173, 365. ISBN 978-0-438-16668-4. DAI-A 79/12(E), Dissertation Abstracts International, 10906674. ProQuest 2095011381. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
4. Langlands, B. W.; McCrae, A. W. R.; Rigby, P., eds. (1967). "Notes on Contributors : Jim Chaplin". The Uganda Journal. 31 (2): 206. ISSN 0041-574X. LCCN 52026895. OCLC 1644239.
5. "Editorial". Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa. 3 (1): vii–ix. January 1968. doi:10.1080/00672706809511482. eISSN 1945-5534. ISSN 0067-270X.
6. Headland, R. K. (1989). "1949–50, Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey". Chronological List of Antarctic Expeditions and Related Historical Events. Cambridge University Press. pp. 330–331 (index no. 1992). ISBN 978-0-521-30903-5.
7. "Meetings: Session 1951–52 : Eighth Meeting, 17 December 1951 : Elections to Fellowship". The Geographical Journal. 118 (1): 115–116. March 1952. ISSN 0016-7398. JSTOR 1791275. Google Books s9xOAAAAIAAJ. Internet Archive sim_geographical-journal_1952-03_118_1.
8. "New Members - Bygevoegde Lede". South African Archaeological Bulletin / Die Suid-Afrikaanse Argeologiese Bulletin. 12 (48): 118. December 1957. ISSN 0038-1969. JSTOR 3886616. Note: the name is listed here as "Chaplin, H. C., Esq.", but the address given, "P. O. Box 124, Livingstone, N. Rhodesia", matches: "List of Associates", Current Anthropology, 1 (2): 151–190 (metadata on pp. 151–152, 190; entry for "Chaplin, James Harvey" on p. 157), March 1960 [1958–1959: "Some Associates filled out the cards as long ago as January, 1958." In main list, not "Supplementary list through Dec. 31, 1959".], Internet Archive sim_current-anthropology_1960-03_1_2; Chaplin, James H. (December 1956), "African Weather-Lore", The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 11 (44): 111–112, doi:10.2307/3886589, ISSN 0038-1969, JSTOR 3886589; and Chaplin, J. H. (1959), "A preliminary note on the rainbow in Africa South of the Sahara", Ethnos, 24 (3–4): 151–171, doi:10.1080/00141844.1959.9980870, ISSN 0014-1844.
9. Christie, Anthony. "Emslie Horniman Anthropological Scholarship Fund". Annual Report and Accounts of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland for the Year Ending 31 December 1963. Royal Anthropological Institute. p. 8. A 114/6/3. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIAFA144-C0001-MA000281, RAIMFA900-C0000-MA000040.
10. Christie, Anthony. "Emslie Horniman Anthropological Scholarship Fund". Annual Report and Accounts of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland for the Year Ending 31 December 1964. Royal Anthropological Institute. p. 9. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIMFA900-C0000-MA000039.
11. Chaplin, James H. (9 October 1965). "Dear Mr. Christie, Thank you for your letter of 7th October, 1965. I enclose my cheque for [...]" (Letter). . 94/3/52. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIAFA139-C0001-MA001080.
12. "[cover page] : Editorial Committee". The Uganda Journal. 31 (1). 1967. ISSN 0041-574X. LCCN 52026895. OCLC 1644239.
13. "Twenty-first Annual Report / Report of the Director for the Session 1963/64". Bulletin of the Institute of Archaeology. No. 5. University of London, Institute of Archaeology. 1965 [Report for 1 August 1963 – 31 July 1964]. pp. 119–137 (see p. 127). JSTOR community.35555378.
14. Harlow, M. A. B. (January 1974). "The Prehistoric Rock Art of the Lake Victoria Region : Introduction". Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa. 9 (1): 1. doi:10.1080/00672707409511714. eISSN 1945-5534. ISSN 0067-270X.
15. Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894–1952: Returns of Passengers brought to the United Kingdom who Embarked at Ports out of Europe. Names and descriptions of British Commonwealth and Irish Republican passengers landed at the port of ____ (In-coming Passengers; P.M.2B. Second Schedule). 27 May 1955. Row 258. 9513/01; Name of Ship: s.s. "UGANDA"; Owner or Agent: British India Steam Navigation Co.Ltd.; Whence Arrived: Beira. Ancestry.com collection 1518 "UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960", record 1023686, citing "The National Archives in Washington, DC; London, England, UK; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Inwards Passenger Lists; Class: Bt26; Piece: 1333; Item: 119" and "Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA). Series BT26, 1,472 pieces.".
16. Smith, J. (2 November 1924). "James Harvey, B. 16/9 24". Register of Baptisms: in the Parish of Greenhill in the County of Middlesex. London: Shaw & Sons, Fetter Lane, E.C. p. 147, no. 1173. S6117A. 1– 10-01. Ancestry.com collection 1558 "London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1924", record 922865937, citing "London Metropolitan Archives; London, England, UK; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: Dro/096/003".
17. Posnansky, Merrick (September 10, 2001). J. Desmond Clark: An archaeologist at work in African prehistory and early human studies: teamwork and insight. University History Series. Transcriber: Jessica Ross Stern. Interviews Conducted by Timothy Troy. Berkeley, California: Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California (published 2002). pp. 432–444 (see p. 443). Internet Archive archaeologist00clarrich.
18. Clark, J. Desmond (January 2002). "VII: RESEARCH WORK OF THE 1960S". J. Desmond Clark: An archaeologist at work in African prehistory and early human studies: teamwork and insight. University History Series. Interviews Conducted by Timothy Troy. Berkeley, California: Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California (published 2002). pp. 169–194 (see p. 171). Internet Archive archaeologist00clarrich.
19. "CHAPLIN James Harvey". Calendar of all grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in The Probate Registries of The High Court of Justice in England. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office (published 1968). 1967. p. 158. Ancestry.com collection 1904 "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995", record 73575865, citing "Birmingham Archives; Birmingham, England; England and Wales Probate Calendar; Reference: 1967C".
20. Gravestone in Kampala European Cemetery, photographed and transcribed at: Barnes, Bob (2006–2008), "CHAPLIN-James Harvey", East African Cemeteries and Memorials, PUBLISHER ID#: 0417061546ke, archived from the original on 2024-05-16, retrieved 2025-10-03; Barnes, Bob (Mar 29, 2022), "James Harvey CHAPLIN (1924-1967)", Find a Grave, Ancestry.com record 209270639, Family Search ark:/61903/1:1:6FN2-KCTQ, retrieved 2025-10-03
21. "Re: James Harvey Chaplin - Deceased" (Letter). R. Lucas & Sons, Solicitors. 17 September 1970. GS/AH. 51/2/4. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIAFA091-C0001-MA000550.
22. "Memorandum from the Library Committee for presentation to Council and its Committees" (Document). Royal Anthropological Institute Library. 5 January 1973. See items 4.B.b and 6.b. 51/31/44. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIAFA091-C0001-MA000573.
23. Boston, David M. (15 September 1971). "Reopening of the Library on 1 October 1971" (Circular Letter). The Royal Anthropological Institute Library. 51/31/26, 51/35/17. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIAFA091-C0001-MA000198, RAIAFA091-C0001-MA000387.
24. Kirkpatrick, Miss B. J. (19 July 1972). "Dear Lord Raglan: Mr Boston, Chairman of the Library Committee, and I have been discussing your very kind suggestion [...]" (Letter). . 51/2/19. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIAFA091-C0001-MA000155.

External links

• Chaplin's research notes: Chaplin, J. R. (23 July 1984). "Tribal art and painting, with particular reference to rock art" (two boxes). . MS 296. Wiley Digital Archives, The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, RAIMFA290-C0001-MA000002, RAIMFA290-C0001-MA000001.