The Cambridge History of Africa: Volume 1

Cambridge University Press, 2/25/1982
EAN 9780521222150, ISBN10: 052122215X

Hardcover, 1200 pages, 22.8 x 18.5 x 7 cm
Language: English

Volume I of The Cambridge History of Africa provides the first relatively complete and authoritative survey of African prehistory from the time of the first hominids in the Plio-Pleistone up to the spread of iron technology after c.500 BC. The volume therefore sets the stage for the history of the continent contained in the subsequent volumes. The material remains of past human life recovered by excavation are described and interpreted in the light of palaeo-ecological evidence, primate studies and ethnographic observation, to provide a record of the evolving skills and adaptive behaviour of the prehistoric populations. The unique discoveries in East and South Africa of early hominid fossils, stone tools and other surviving evidence are discussed with full documentation, leading on to the coming of Modern Man and the beginning of regional patterning. The volume provides a survey of the now considerable material showing the different ways of life in the forests, savannas and arid zones during the 'Later Stone Age'.

List of figures
List of plates
Preface
1. The palaeo-ecology of the African continent
the physical environment of Africa from the earliest geological to Later Stone Age times Karl W. Butzer and H. B. S. Cooke
2. Origins and evolution of African Hominidae F. Clark Howell
3. The earliest archaeological traces Glynn Ll. Isaac
4. The cultures of the Middle Palaeolithic/Middle Stone Age J. Desmond Clark
5. The Late Palaeolithic and Epi-Paiaeolithic of northern Africa Philip E. L. Smith
6. The Later Stone Age in sub-Saharan Africa D. W. Phillipson
7. The rise of civilization in Egypt B. G. Trigger
8. Beginnings of pastoralism and cultivation in north-west Africa and the Sahara
origins of the Berbers G. Camps
9. The origins of indigenous African agriculture Jack R. Harlan
10. Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period in Egypt Barry J. Kemp
11. Early food production in sub-Saharan Africa D. W. Phillipson
12. Egypt, 1552–664 BC David O'Connor
Bibliographical essays
Bibliography
Index.

'All concerned with the prehistory of Africa must be grateful to the Cambridge University Press for having produced it, to Desmond Clark for his editing, and to all the contributors. Printing, reproduction of figures and plates, binding and index are all good.' The Journal of African History