A case for modified sedentism among earlier hunter-gatherers in southern Africa
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
This paper examines the validity of employing direct ethnographic analogy in archaeological reconstruction even when there is believed to be some generic relationship between the ancient and modern populations in question. It is suggested that significant differences may have prevailed in the past
with respect to subsistence strategies, settlement pattern or other aspect,s of
demography, and social organization, especially under favorable environmental
regimes of dependable productivity and in the absence of disrupting contact
with food-producing peoples. In particular, using specific archaeological data
from southern Zambia as a basis for comparison, a case is presented for prehistoric
adaptations which may have featured non-transhumant behavior and thus
contrast with what is observed among many contemporary and recent African
hunter-gatherers.
Description
African Studies Center Working Paper No. 72
License
Copyright © 1983, by the author.