Product Description

This book provides an overview of the archaeology of Africa from c. 8,000 BC to the present day, including unique review chapters as well as other in-depth studies. The Africa which emerges from the book is the proud possessor of a vast and highly intricate amalgamation of peoples and cultures, an enormous diversity of economic and social strategies and an amazingly heterogeneous number of environments. Africa's past was a vibrant and unique one and without an understanding of this continent's history, it is impossible to grasp its present, let alone its future.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3249853 in Books
• Published on: 1993-03-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 896 pages

Review
"No longer can anyone doubt that archaeology has killed the myths of the continent of Africa being without a history." -- Ekpo Eyo, University of Maryland

"This is the book which was missing; all Africanists are waiting for it." -- Colette Roubet, Institut de Paleontologie Humaine, Paris

`Grit your teeth, shell out the pounds, and buy a copy of this important work: you will consult it many times. - - Antiquity

`Grit your teeth, shell out the pounds, and buy a copy of this important work: you will consult it many times.' - - Antiquity

`Its immense coverage reveals not just the vibrancy of Africa's rich and diverse archaeological past, but also demolishes many misconceptions about the continent...this is a classic example of how vision and scholarship can be combined.' - - New Scientist

`Its immense coverage reveals not just the vibrancy of Africas rich and diverse archaeological past, but also demolishes many misconceptions about the continent...this is a classic example of how vision and scholarship can be combined. - - New Scientist

`This is a competently and painstakingly edited volume, which gives the authentic flavour of the archaeological research carried out in Africa in recent years, and concludes with an eighty-page bibliography which will be of great value to the serious student. - - Times Literary Supplement

`This is a competently and painstakingly edited volume, which gives the authentic flavour of the archaeological research carried out in Africa in recent years, and concludes with an eighty-page bibliography which will be of great value to the serious student.' - - Times Literary Supplement

`it will be a superb source for university students - - The Independent

`it will be a superb source for university students' - - The Independent

`simply a majestic book - - Anthropology Today

`simply a majestic book' - - Anthropology Today

`the existence of the volume is now so important, and carries so many implications, that we must record its availability in as many serious journals as possible - - Literary Review

`the existence of the volume is now so important, and carries so many implications, that we must record its availability in as many serious journals as possible' - - Literary Review

About the Author
Thurstan Shaw and Bassey Andah are both at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Paul Sinclair is affiliated with the University of Uppsala, Sweden. Alex Okpoko is at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.