People of the Past: an Archaeology of South Africa's Stone Age

That Africa is the cradle of humankind has been conclusively confirmed in South Africa with the discoveries of fossil remains of early humans. In this book Hilary and Janette Deacon present in a lively and informative way the results of nearly 150 years of archaeological research that follows the progress of our Stone Age ancestors from these early beginnings to the late nineteenth century. The forgotten secrets of the precolonial period are not usually accorded high status in the histories of southern Africa but are vital for acknowledging the heritage of the indigenous people and for establishing the origins of all modern people. The evidence has been carefully pieced together to show that the roots of South African society stretch way back into the Stone Age. Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs, maps and diagrams, this book provides an up-to-date and authoritive account specially designed for general readers, students, teachers and researchers.