The Archaeology and Anthropology of Megafauna Exploitation in the Kalahari Desert of Southern Africa

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Southern Africa has some of the world’s largest elephant (Loxodonta africana) populations. Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe all allow elephant hunting by safari company clients. Wildlife departments in the three countries engage in problem animal control (PAC) to reduce human-elephant conflict (HEC). Local indigenous community members, while not allowed to engage in elephant hunting themselves, receive some benefits in the form of meat from elephants that are killed by safari company clients. Historically, San groups such as the Tshwa of Botswana and Zimbabwe were renowned elephant hunters and trackers. This paper will examine trends in elephant hunting that have occurred over time in Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Particular attention will be paid to the hunting technology employed in this megafaunal exploitation. The archaeological and anthropological implications of these activities are addressed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38870.0