A study of the rock engravings of Southern Africa, this book presents photographs illustrating the major and more interesting engravings made by the bushmen of the region. The significance, meaning and mode of execution of each are discussed, and the importance of the site is explained.

This is a comprehensive study of the rock engravings of southern Africa, illustrating the major and more interesting engravings made by the Bushmen of the region. The beauty and variety of these engravings is revealed in full-colour photographs and rubbings. Their significance, meaning and mode of execution are discussed in the accompanying text, where the importance of the site is also explained. Thomas Dowson's research shows that there are strong indications that engravings, like rock paintings, have ritual associations and that they were executed by shamans after trance. Interviews with some of the present inhabitants of the region, and folk tales relating to the animals depicted in the engravings, amplify our understanding of the creative impetus responsible for these masterpieces. This book is a tribute to the Bushmen engravers of successive ages and to the magnificence of their work. It should be appreciated by archaeologists, anthropologists and students of southern Africa.

Introduction
Recording rock engravings
Contacting the spirit world
Capturing the rain
Visions of the spirit world
Sensations of the spirit world
Animals
Working with the rock
The individual engraver
A Damaraland Valley