New publications by Museum staff

Last month the volume Perspectives on Differences in Rock Art, edited by Jan Magne Gjerde and Mari Strifeldt Arntzen, was published by Equninox Press. The volume presents 25 papers written by rock art scholars from across the globe, and includes papers by Dr Ghilraen Laue and Dr Geoffrey Blundell of the Human Sciences Department at the KwaZulu-Natal Museum. Dr Blundell considers how rock art was used in identity construction and contestation in the Nomansland region after the arrival of people other than the San. Dr Laue considers the question of regionality in rock art and explores how concepts of communities and constellations of practice offer tools to reconceptualise regional differences. These two concepts are applied to motifs of flight and transformation in three areas of rock art to interrogate difference and regional variation in the art.

This volume explores the differences observed in rock art through time and space, synchronically and diachronically. These differences can, for example, be in form, content or space (macro and micro), where explanations might relate to a variety of factors such as political or societal beliefs and rituals. This volume also discusses the many-sided and complex issues connected with authenticity and presentation, and the efforts and choices that are taken to preserve and present rock art.

Introduction to the volume is free to read here

KwaZulu-Natal Museum sponsors prizes for Archaeology Student Development Conference (SDC) 2021

Kelita Shadrach, WITS PhD Candidate and SAASC secretary with prizes for the conference donated by the KwaZulu-Natal Museum

The Southern African Archaeology Student Council (SAASC) hosts its annual Student Development Conference (SDC) in June 2021. Although their pre-COVID Workshops were in-person events, the pandemic has prompted them to switch to an online event. During the month of June, archaeology students and researchers who have registered for the SDC will have access to lectures, practical activities, and assignments online. The content and activities provide enriching content and participatory learning experiences. Following each lecture, students will complete a practical activity, quiz or essay, which they will submit online for review by SAASC and their workshop presenters with exciting prizes up for grabs, including some donated by the KwaZulu-Natal Museum.

The prizes include museum branded goodies and copies of the latest issue of the journal South African Humanities as well as a set of books recently published by the museum. Dr Blundell from the Human Sciences Department at the KZN Museum handed over the “goody” bags to Kelita Shadrach who is the secretary of the SAASC on the 28^th May while visiting Wits to conduct archival research.

KWAZULU-NATAL MUSEUM PUBLISHES NEW BOOK

The KwaZulu-Natal Museum is pleased to announce the publication Chronicles of the Seekoei River Bushmen and their Neighbours, Volume 1 by Garth Sampson and Dennis Neville. The book is a companion volume to 2018’s The World of the Seekoei River Bushmen, also published by the KwaZulu-Natal Museum. In Chronicles 1, the authors collate the extensive historical material for the Seacow River area. Lavishly illustrated, with detailed maps, this book represents a small part of a lifetime’s work. Garth Sampson’s interest for the Seekoei River Valley’s archaeology, history, and environment is almost unbounded in its intellectual passion. In this account, the authors leave no stone unturned.

Most South Africans have never heard of the Seekoei (Seacow River), which has its origins in the Sneeuwberg (Snow Mountains) and flows northwards into the Orange River and that is a pity; this seemingly remote and minor river was, for a time, at the heart of Bushmen resistance against colonialism. This volume covers the time-period 1770 to 1830, with a second volume in preparation to cover the period after 1830. These volumes form part of the Occasional Publication series published by the KwaZulu-Natal Museum, edited by Dr Gavin Whitelaw of the Department of Human Sciences. Volumes on other archaeological topics are currently in preparation. The volume is for sale directly from the KwaZulu-Natal Museum currently for a special introductory price of R510, excluding the cost of postage.

If you would like to purchase Chronicles Volume 1 as well as 2018’s The World of the Seekoei River Bushmen, they are available as a set for a short period at the special price of R750, excluding the cost of postage.

If you would like to order a copy, please complete the order form here and email it through to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.