The first comprehensive study of rock art in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo Province, this richly illustrated volume explores the intricate world views of Bushman groups, Iron Age farmers and Khoekhoe herders. The authors decode the visual languages of 130 sites to show how these groups influenced each other over millennia.
Rock Art of the Waterberg: Rites and Transformation is a landmark archaeological study that unveils the nuanced world view and rituals practised by local Bushman groups living in the Waterberg area of the Limpopo Province millennia ago. Through unprecedented documentation of 130 rock art sites – many photographed for the first time – Lyn Wadley and Ghilraen Laue reveal a complex narrative of human creativity and cultural interaction.
Exploring the intricate visual languages of Bushman hunter-gatherers, Iron Age farmers and Khoekhoe herders, the book illuminates profound themes of human experience – hunting, initiation, healing and spiritual transformation. Archaeological evidence suggests that these diverse groups coexisted and influenced one another’s cultural practices over two thousand years, challenging simplistic narratives of cultural isolation.
Richly illustrated with archival photographs, enhanced views of the rock sites using cutting-edge photographic technology and original artworks by local artists, Rock Art of the Waterberg is a powerful testament to early human creativity and a crucial argument for preserving these fragile cultural archives. This ground-breaking study redefines our understanding of South African rock art and cultural heritage, offering scholars and enthusiasts an unprecedented journey into a forgotten world.
'Rock Art of the Waterberg: Rites and Transformation' is published by Wits University Press