Peopling of Africa

Tracing the development of Africa's peoples from their origins over four million years ago to the onset of the colonial era in the late nineteenth century, James Newman discusses the roles played by language, technology, occupation, and religion in forming identities and how population distribution has been shaped by varying natural and human circumstances.A well-written and beautiful book, illustrated throughout with maps and photographs, and a useful bibliographical essay. The achievement of presenting the diversity and vibrancy of differing regions and thorough examination of this topic of such scanty data set it apart from many previous interpretations of these challenging and controversial issues.... This book greatly increases our understanding of the processes and patterns of the peopling of Africa and the diverse and dynamic natures of populations". -- Tamasine Robins, African Affairs"If you either claim or aspire to be an African scholar, you should read this book. Newman clearly fills a niche in African scholarship by focusing on the largely ignored period of African history before Europeans colonized the continent. While anthropologists and historians have brought together most of the pieces of the puzzle of African humanity, this work by a geographer puts them in a new context which illuminates 'peopling' and helps explain it in rich complexity". -- Gary L. Gaile, Journal of Anthropological ResearchNewman, James L. is the author of 'Peopling of Africa' with ISBN 9780300060034 and ISBN 0300060033.