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Recent Developments in African Offshore Prehistoric Archaeological Research, with an Emphasis on South Africa

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Prehistoric Archaeology on the Continental Shelf

Abstract

The African continent represents a significant lacuna in respect of offshore prehistoric archaeological research. A recent survey of the scientific literature has indicated that with the exception of one South African project, Operation ‘Zembe’, no archaeological work pertaining to prehistoric periods has been undertaken to date anywhere offshore of the coasts of sub-Saharan Africa. Recent developments, however, have stimulated further plans to extend research into this field in the region. In the following, motivations for conducting sub-sea prehistoric archaeology in Africa are discussed. This is followed by a description of methodology. By describing aspects of research design and strategy, an opportunity exists to compare African prehistoric submarine archaeology with work undertaken elsewhere in the world.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See for example Avery 1975; Avery 1987 ; Avery et al. 1997, 2008; Bartram and Marean 1999; Berger and Parkington 1995; Brink and Deacon 1982; Cohen et al. 1992; Deacon et al. 1986; Grine 1998; Grine et al. 2000; Henshilwood 2008; Henshilwood et al. 1994; Hewitt 1921; Horwitz et al. 1991; Jerardino 1998, 2007; Klein 1975; Lombard 2007; Marean et al. 2007; Parkington et al. 1987, 2009; Poggenpoel and Robertshaw 1981; Schwarcz and Rink 2000; Singer and Wymer 1982; Smith 1993; Smith et al. 1992; Thackeray 1988; Thompson and Marean 2008; Van Andel 1989; Van Noten 1974; Volman 1978; Wilson 1996.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following persons and institutions for their assistance, cooperation and support. Dr Graham Avery, of the South African Museum; Dr Nicholas Flemming, of the Southampton Oceanography Centre; Mr Michael Francke; Mr Oswald Haupt; Captain Aubrey Kampher, of the Hydrographic Office of the South African Navy; Dr Curtis Marean; Mr Alton Trimmel; Ms Jessica Warner; the Council for Geoscience; the Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town; the South African National Lottery Board; the African Institute for Marine and Underwater Research, Exploration and Education (AIMURE) and specifically the AIMURE Dive Unit members.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. African Institute for Marine and Underwater Research, Exploration and Education (AIMURE) and the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies, University of Pretoria, 27 Rose Avenue, Tokai, 7945, Cape Town, South Africa

    Bruno Werz

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, Joint Council for Geoscience Marine Geoscience Unit, University of Cape Town, Bellville, PO Box 572, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa

    Hayley Cawthra

  3. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, 7700, Rondebosch, South Africa

    John Compton

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  1. Tesla Offshore, Inc, Prairieville, Louisiana, USA

    Amanda M. Evans

  2. Inst. Archaeology, University College London Fac. Arts, London, United Kingdom

    Joseph C. Flatman

  3. National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom

    Nicholas C. Flemming

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Werz, B., Cawthra, H., Compton, J. (2014). Recent Developments in African Offshore Prehistoric Archaeological Research, with an Emphasis on South Africa. In: Evans, A., Flatman, J., Flemming, N. (eds) Prehistoric Archaeology on the Continental Shelf. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9635-9_13

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