Rock Art of the Waterberg: Rites and Transformation

Rock Art of the Waterberg: Rites and Transformation is a landmark 
archaeological study that unveils the nuanced world view and rituals 
practised by local Bushman groups living in the Waterberg area of 
northern South Africa millennia ago. Through unprecedented 
documentation of 130 rock art sites – many photographed for the fi rst 
time – Lyn Wadley and Ghilraen Laue reveal a complex narrative of 
human creativity and cultural interaction.
 Strategically located along river corridors leading to the Limpopo 
River, these sites off er an extraordinary glimpse into the lives of 
Bushman hunter-gatherers, Iron Age farmers and Khoekhoe herders. 
Their intricate visual languages span three distinct painting traditions: 
delicate Bushman fi ne-line art, robust Iron Age fi nger paintings and 
enigmatic geometric works that speak to millennia of cultural exchange.
 Beyond mere documentation, the book explores profound themes of 
human experience – hunting, initiation, healing and spiritual 
transformation. Archaeological evidence illuminates how these diverse 
groups coexisted and influenced one another’s cultural practices over 
two thousand years, challenging simplistic narratives of cultural 
isolation.
 Richly illustrated with archival photographs, enhanced views of the 
rock sites using cutting-edge photographic technology and original 
artworks by local artists, Rock Art of the Waterberg is a powerful 
testament to early human creativity and off ers a crucial argument for 
preserving these fragile cultural archives. This ground-breaking study 
redefi nes our understanding of South African rock art and cultural 
heritage, off ering scholars and enthusiasts an unprecedented journey 
into a forgotten world.