SUMMARYSouth Africa is a major livestock region of the African continent and a country rich in local animal genetic resources (AnGR). Archaeological research and the important rock paintings found in the region confirm the existence of domesticated ruminant populations, at least baclc to 300 AD. The dwindling of the pool of AnGR in recent years justifies the creation of ACEDA, which can and should play a major role in AnGR conservation policy and activities.
Prehistoric rock art in southern Africa has been studied — with remarkable success — in the light of ethnographic data obtained from modern ‘San’ or ‘Bushmen’. Yet examples of rock paintings reflect conceptual associations similar if not identical to those identified among Bantu-speakers. It is recommended that the art be studied in the light of linguistic as well as ethnographic data without adopting a ‘San-centric’ stance.
The earliest directly dated rock paintings from southern Africa: new AMS radiocarbon dates