FAMOUS Guyanese artist/archaeologist, Dr George Simon A.A, passed away on Wednesday, after a fight with cancer.
Reports are that Dr Simon died in Spain. He was 73.

Simon was viewed as one of the greatest indigenous artists and archaeologists in Guyana’s history and his efforts were recognized in 1998 when the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement was bestowed upon him.

He has been credited for identifying the ancestry of Guyana’s first people stretching back for over 500 years. During his time here, he was credited with forming the “Moving Circle” art exhibitions while honing his skills as a muralist.

In 2011, Simon and a team of scientists made key discoveries on human settlements which might have existed in the Berbice area some 5000 years ago.
The team worked in the Berbice River community of Dubulay on what was called the Berbice Archaeology Project. Along with the late Neil Whitehead, a University of Wisconsin professor of anthropology, the works surrounded the archaeological excavation of a mound site at Dubulay and the exploration of raised fields in the savannahs in the middle of the Berbice River.

Their findings which spanned years of research were documented by Simon for future reference. He later moved overseas to pursue further studies and other pursuits in the two fields until the time of his passing.

Murals, the product of Simon’s hard work, have been placed at various parts of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport(CJIA) terminal building.
News of his death sent shockwaves throughout the arts community as well as within archaeological circles and many who knew him spoke highly of Simon’s contributions to the two fields he mastered.