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On concepts expressed in southern African rock art

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

J. F. Thackeray*
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, 7700 Rondebosch, South Africa

Abstract

Prehistoric rock art in southern Africa has been studied — with remarkable success — in the light of ethnographic data obtained from modern ‘San’ or ‘Bushmen’. Yet examples of rock paintings reflect conceptual associations similar if not identical to those identified among Bantu-speakers. It is recommended that the art be studied in the light of linguistic as well as ethnographic data without adopting a ‘San-centric’ stance.

Type
Notes
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 1990

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