On June 12, 2025, Mr Abidemi Babalola, a US-based Nigerian Research Archeologist, won the Dan David Prize, the world’s largest award for historical research.
On Thursday, the Times of Israel (TI) papers disclosed that Babalola had won a $300,000 cash prize at a ceremony held in Italy.
Abidemi, an anthropological archaeologist at the British Museum, uses material science to uncover the history of technological development in premodern West Africa.
His research has transformed our understanding of how glass was produced in Africa. It proves that glass production in the region predated European colonialism and developed independently.
Furthermore, Abidemi is active in public outreach in Nigeria, showcasing the knowledge he produces through archeological works to these communities connected to history.
He is currently the lead archaeologist for constructing the Museum of West African Arts, which will open in Benin City, Nigeria.
TI disclosed that each year, nine winners working in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas who emerge early in their careers receive a $300,000 prize.
“The work of this year’s winner ranges from enlisting the methods of archeology to explore Nazi death camps to rewriting what we know about the development and use of glass in Africa,” TI quoted.
Starreporters reports that the Dan David Prize is an international award that recognises outstanding contributions to the study of history and other disciplines that illuminate the human past.
The Dan David Foundation provides the prize.
(NAN)