The Crudle Of Zimbabwe

Our material consists of around 15000 high pic images taken from more than 32 caves and walls from all over Zimbabwe. In contrast to South Africa, it is the superimposition which is a major characteristic of paintings in Zimbabwe. Behind the latest paintings are several layers of paintings from different and earlier pictorial traditions. This material gives the possibility to investigate change and continuity. We start with the most ancient San tableau and work towards the newest San overpainting or overpainting by Khoenkhoen or Early Bantu. The software technique DStretch enables us to see earlier tableaux, which at times are not even visible. We combine sequencing with assessment of the level of degradation that informs of age. The paintings are decoded primarily as paintings and as a source to their painter. The object of our book is exploration of patterns of change and continuity in the San Cave painting traditions with a starting point in a Sequence of superimpositions. Our investigation relates to pictorial traditions and does not to archaeological or historical periods.