Forgotten Africa: An Introduction to its Archaeology - Hardcover

Connah, Graham

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 041530590X ISBN 13: 9780415305907

Publisher: Routledge, 2004

Synopsis

Forgotten Africa introduces the general reader and beginning student to Africa's past, emphasizing those aspects only known or best known from archaeological and related evidence. It covers four million years of history across the continent, examining important aspects of Africa's momentous human story. Graham Connah is concerned to raise public awareness, both inside and outside Africa, to this frequently overlooked and often forgotten subject.

Forgotten Africa examines: 

* human origins,
* the material culture of hunter gatherers
* the beginnings of African farming, the development of metallurgy
* the emergence of distinctive artistic traditions
* the growth of cities and states
* the expansion of trading networks
* the impact of European and other external contacts.

The result is a fascinating and important story told in a straightforward and readable manner.

About this title

About the Author:

Graham Connah's books include The Archaeology of Benin, Three Thousand Years in Africa, African Civilizations, Kibiro and Transformations in Africa. Currently a visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, Canberra, he was awarded the Order of Australia in 2000.

Review:

'The book will, indeed, provide a valuable and up-to-date guide ... Graham Connah's book is a worthy and useful contribution.' – Journal of African Archaeology

'Connah is explicit in his aim of introducing the general readerand beginning student to Africa's past, and this he does in a straightforward, enjoyable and readable manner.' – South African Archaeological Bulletin

'This is a book that does exactly what it sets out to do and does it with the benefit of a flawless presentation and numerous, crystal clear photographs, drawings and maps ... [Connah] is to be congratulated on producing an excellent synthesis that convincingly argues for the unity of the African past ... and its relevance to the present of us all.' – The Australasian Review of African Studies

'Forgotten Africa is rooted in impressive scholarship, demonstrating the author's familiarity with a wide range of archaeological data from accross a huge region. The author avoids the temptation to generalise, wisely opting to present the archaeology of the continent in all its diversity. The presentation is excellent, with many good-quality illustrations and maps. - Stephanie Wynne-Jones, Antiquity

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 041530590X
• ISBN 13: 9780415305907
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208