The discovery of an ancient engraving on a half a million-year-old shell happened by chance, says archaeologist José Joordens. She led the investigation into the oldest engraving ever found. What is the story behind this discovery?

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In the coming years Leiden University’s Executive Board will be investing 1.4 million euros in the production of new online courses. In 2015 and 2016, a total of 15 new MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) and 10 new SPOCs (Small Private Online Courses) will be introduced.

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Gerard Persoon, Professor of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, studied how indigenous peoples in the rainforests of Indonesia and the Philippines live and how they respond to the influences of the modern world. Thre is now an online dossier available on his work.

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The Leiden astronomers Frans Snik and Michiel Rodenhuis developed the technology for the Rainbow Station artwork. Since 11 December, this large projected rainbow of light can be seen every day after sunset on the outside of the Central Station in Amsterdam. ‘We had to design light that would not blind the train drivers’.

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Individual testimonies about the war are a powerful weapon. ‘Brave people such as Cleveringa and former "comfort women" dared to speak up and helped create a better future,’ Japanologist Carol Gluck said in her Cleveringa Lecture on 26 November.

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Humanities and Social Sciences deserve solid financing and effective support so that as many people as possible can benefit from good teaching and research. In a meeting attended by Jet Bussemaker Minister of Education, Culture and Science, seven university networks signed a declaration in Leiden setting out these plans.

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