1-300000-1200AD

1. THE PRE-HISTORICAL PERIOD
BC TO 1485

300000 to Southern African Middle Stone Age.

27000 B.C.
Circa Painted rock fragments in Apollo-11 Cave, Huns Mountains, southern Namibia are in existence. The painted slabs were discovered by Wolfgang Wendt in 1969.

Oldest Rockart in Africa: Apollo XI Cave: 27000 - 23000 B.C.: Farm Uitsig: Huns Mountains
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks: Courtesy: National Museum of Namibia

The oldest rock paintings can be dated to between 27000 and 23000 B.C. It can be inferred that the population (s) responsible for these art remains did hunt and gather.
The oldest communities still living in Namibia are the San (Khoesan or Ovokuruvehi (meaning in Otjiherero: original people))(also called "Bushmen" by Europeans) and the #Nu-Khoen (Daman or "black" people)(Dama or Damara as it was later generally applied)(language: #Nu- Khoegowab). The click sounds of the Khoesan, the #Nu-Khoen and the Khoe (Nama) are represented by the following symbols: ! (cerebral click), | (dental click), || (lateral click) and # (palatal click).
These groups are probably not the original inhabitants of Namibia.

Rockpainting: Omandumba East: Erongo Mountains
Namibia Scientific Society

Warmfontein: Gurus River: Karas Region: April 2003
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpainting near ||Khauxa!nas: Warmfontein: Gurus River: March 1996
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpainting near ||Khauxa!nas: Warmfontein: Gurus River: April 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

10000 B.C. around The A Period occurs in northern Namibia between 10000 and 7000 B.C. It is typified by stone implements and cores as well as ostrich eggshells, ostrich beads and the first potteries.
The "Otjiseva Man" may have lived in the area of present-day Namibia.

5000 B.C. around Later Stone Age in southern Africa: The B (between 7000 and 4400 B.C.) and C1 (between 4400 and 1200 B.C.) periods show stone implements and cores as well as ostrich eggshells and ostrich beads and potteries and also first rock paintings and engravings.
In the 1960s archaeologists uncover a Stone Age tool workshop on site at the present-day "Zoo Park" in Windhoek, and found tools there manufactured from elephant bones.
Abbé Breuil, French priest and one of the most influential scholars of European prehistoric art, publishes the first radio-carbon date that is associated with rock art in Namibia in 1957. Art remains in the Phillips Cave in the Erongo Mountains are calculated to be 3 368±200 years old.

1000 B.C. First iron-ore working can be found in Africa (Egypt). In Namibia the C2 Period occurs between 1200 B.C. and A.D. It includes stone implements and cores as well as ostrich eggshells, ostrich beads, potteries. and many rock paintings and engravings.

Early A.D. First Iron Age sites can be found in Africa south of the Equator.
Early in the first millennium AD perhaps, the Khoe begin to arrive in south-western Africa. They are the antecedents of the present Nama. The Khoe are nomadic pastoralists and they introduce the first of the cultural revolutions that transforms the relative equanimity of southern Africa’s stone age. Early settlements along the Atlantic coast, especially at the Kuiseb and Uniab mouths and the Namib Desert are witness of the rise of the pastoral economy of the Central Namib Desert. Numerous settlements can be found at Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg (2 646 m)(meaning "Burnt or Fire Mountain" – "Brandberg" in German, "Dâunas" or "Dâureb" in the Khoekhoegowab language (Nama/Dama), " Omukuruwaro" in Otjiherero) and between the Ugab and Huab rivers (settlement of Gai-As which probably came into existence only after 1500 A.D.). Archaeological research reveals that the Hunter- Gatherer communities existed even at the period when the rock art tradition began to disappear giving way to pastoral nomadism in many parts of Namibia. The first contact with Europeans in the 15th Century leads to the collapse of nomadic pastoralism (D Period between A.D. and 1 000 A.D.).

The "Große Spitzkoppe" from the North
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpainting in the "Große Spitzkoppe" Massif (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.)
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

The "Bushmen Paradise" in the Spitzkoppe Massif: Erongo Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Cave in the "Bushmen Paradise" in the Spitzkoppe Massif
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpainting in the Cave in the "Bushmen Paradise" (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.)
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Scene in the Spitzkoppe Massif: Erongo Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

The Brandberg with the Königsstein is Namibia's highest Mountain:
2 646 m: View from the East into the Tsisab Valley: The Mountain is composed of a single mass of granite created 120 Million Years ago, a Time of tremendous geological Upheaval in the Earth's History, when the old Gondwana Continent broke apart, separating Africa from South-America: Erongo Region: April 1971
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

The Brandberg from the East into the Tsisab Gorge: with District Road 2359: Erongo Region, March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

The Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg: Erongo Region: View to South West: There are so far approximately 1 000 painted Shelters with 45 000 individual Paintings in the Brandberg Massif identified
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (Around 1500 A.D.): View to the North-East: Erongo Region, March 2003
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): The famous "White Lady" Rockpainting in Maack's Shelter: Recent Research shows that the Figures are of pure Namibian Origin, April 1971
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

The Rock Paintings in Maack's Shelter with "White Lady" in March 2003: A Number of the Figures, including the "White Lady", display both white and red Body Paint and are highly decorated: There is a lavish Use of Bead Strings and Bands to decorate the Knees, Ankles, Arms, Neck and Hair of the Figures: Since the older Layers of Paintings and the simpler monochrome Figures could perhaps be called "Bushman-Style", it is possible that the San (Bushmen) were in the area in the distant Past: The more complex Figures appear to have been painted later, since they mostly overlie the "Bushman Style" Paintings: We can assume that the Age of these Paintings is at least 2000 Years old and many are much older

Ascent from Maack's Shelter to the Giraffe Cave in the Brandberg, Tsisab Gorge: View to the South West, March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): The Giraffe Cave: The Paintings are, usually realistic Portrayals, although they are often drawn with a twisted Perspective: The human Figures have the Trunk, Legs and Head painted in Profile while the Shoulders and Arms are depicted from a Frontal Perspective, March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Ascent from the Giraffe Cave to the Ostrich Cave in the Brandberg, Tsisab Gorge: View to the North East, March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): The Ostrich Cave in March 2003: Many of the Paintings display Brush Marks, therefore we can assume that the Tools used were probably Animal Hair Brushes: The Colours used were Earth Colours, Red Hematite, Yellow Ochre, Charcoal, Black Manganese and Calcium Carbonate
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Ascent from the Ostrich Cave in the Brandberg to Jochmann's Shelter, Tsisab Gorge: View to the South to the Tsisab-Spitze 2228 m, March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

View from Jochmann's Shelter, Tsisab Gorge: View to the North East, March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): Jochmann's Shelter (Lion), March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): Jochmann's Shelter (Snake and Giraffe), March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Good Look Cairn" (Nama: Heitsi-Eibib or Haitse-aibeb) established by Pastoral Nomads in the Brandberg: Approx. 1500 A.D.: View from the West into the Hungorob Gorge: March 2003: Erongo Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

View from the East into the Ugab Valley (Boundary between Erongo and Kunene Regions): March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

View from the East into the Ugab Valley and a Valley leading to the Doros Crater and the Mikberg Mountains: March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 1: March 2003
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Pathway used by Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Access to Site 1: March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 2: March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 5: March 2003
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 11: March 2003
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Between Doros Crater and Huab River: For Millenniums the Hunter Gatherers and later the Nomadic Pastoralists used the Waterhole of Gai-As: Now the Hole is visited by Desert Elephants and Desert Rhinoceros: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 1: Rock Engravings by Hunter-Gatherers: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: Approximately 2000 Years Old: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 2: Rock Engravings by Hunter-Gatherers: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: Approximately 2000 Years Old: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 3: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: "High Buildings": Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 9: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: North West Settlement: Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 6: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: South West Settlement: Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 11: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: East Settlement: Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Twyfelfontein in the Kunene Region: with Africa's largest known Collection of Rock Engravings, April 1980
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Images of the Rocky Crater of Twyfelfontein: March 2003: In 1921 Reinhardt Maack makes known his Discovery of the Petroglyphs and Rock Paintings on the Sandstone of the Etjo Formation at Twyfelfontein (Ui-Ais)(C1 to E periods: 4400 B.C. - 1400 A.D.). The Petroglyphs are recorded by Ernst Rudolph Scherz from 1950 onwards. He reports that there are 2 500 Rock Engravings on more than 200 Sandstone Slabs: He also discovers some Rockpaintings housed in Sandstone Rock Shelters
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Twyfelfontein with pre-historic Stone Circle of Nomadic Pastoralists (Possible Transition from Windshields to Hut Foundations: D Period between A.D. and 1200 A.D.): Kunene Region: March 2003
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Twyfelfontein: Rock Engravings: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: April 1980
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Twyfelfontein: Rock Engravings: Later Stone Age Hunter-Gatherer Culture: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: Some of the Engravings may be as old as 7 000 Years and even much older: The Abstract Designs were probably done by earlier Artists: March 2003: Kunene Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Twyfelfontein with Rockpaintings: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: The Rockpaintings are younger than the Rockengravings: Kunene Region: March 2003
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to the Caves with San Rockpaintings: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: View from Cave 1 to the North with Khoichab Dunes in the Background: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 1 with recently discovered San Rockpaintings: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Waterhole near Cave 1: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent from Cave 1 to Cave 2: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 2 with recently discovered San Rockpaintings: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 2 with recently discovered San Rock Engraving: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to Cave 3 from the Base: Karas Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to Cave 3: Building Remains in the Form of Stone Circles at the Kirchberg Settlement Site built by Pastoral Nomads in the Namib: Karas Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to Cave 3: Possible Grave or a "Good Look Cairn" (Nama: Heitsi-Eibib or Haitse-aibeb) established by Pastoral Nomads in the Namib: Karas Region
Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks

Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 3 with recently discovered San Rockpaintings: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region
Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks

The first contact with European visitors in the 15^th century leads to the eventual collapse of nomadic pastoralism (D Period between A.D. and 1200 A.D.).

1200 A.D. Human-made pathways in the Hungorob valley of Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg (meaning "burnt mountain" or "fire mountain" – "Brandberg" in German, "Dâunas" or "Dâures" in the Khoekhoegowab language (Nama/Dama), "Omukuruwa" in Otjiherero). These pathways are evidence for the interaction of human settlement, the rich rock art and the local environment (E Period between 1200 and 1400 A.D.).

Pathways in the Hungorob Gorge: Brandberg: ca 1250 A.D.
John Kinahan

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10000 B.C. around	The A Period occurs in northern Namibia between 10000 and 7000 B.C. It is typified by stone implements and cores as well as ostrich eggshells, ostrich beads and the first potteries. The "Otjiseva Man" may have lived in the area of present-day Namibia.
5000 B.C. around	Later Stone Age in southern Africa: The B (between 7000 and 4400 B.C.) and C1 (between 4400 and 1200 B.C.) periods show stone implements and cores as well as ostrich eggshells and ostrich beads and potteries and also first rock paintings and engravings. In the 1960s archaeologists uncover a Stone Age tool workshop on site at the present-day "Zoo Park" in Windhoek, and found tools there manufactured from elephant bones. Abbé Breuil, French priest and one of the most influential scholars of European prehistoric art, publishes the first radio-carbon date that is associated with rock art in Namibia in 1957. Art remains in the Phillips Cave in the Erongo Mountains are calculated to be 3 368±200 years old.
1000 B.C.	First iron-ore working can be found in Africa (Egypt). In Namibia the C2 Period occurs between 1200 B.C. and A.D. It includes stone implements and cores as well as ostrich eggshells, ostrich beads, potteries. and many rock paintings and engravings.
Early A.D.	First Iron Age sites can be found in Africa south of the Equator. Early in the first millennium AD perhaps, the Khoe begin to arrive in south-western Africa. They are the antecedents of the present Nama. The Khoe are nomadic pastoralists and they introduce the first of the cultural revolutions that transforms the relative equanimity of southern Africa’s stone age. Early settlements along the Atlantic coast, especially at the Kuiseb and Uniab mouths and the Namib Desert are witness of the rise of the pastoral economy of the Central Namib Desert. Numerous settlements can be found at Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg (2 646 m)(meaning "Burnt or Fire Mountain" – "Brandberg" in German, "Dâunas" or "Dâureb" in the Khoekhoegowab language (Nama/Dama), " Omukuruwaro" in Otjiherero) and between the Ugab and Huab rivers (settlement of Gai-As which probably came into existence only after 1500 A.D.). Archaeological research reveals that the Hunter- Gatherer communities existed even at the period when the rock art tradition began to disappear giving way to pastoral nomadism in many parts of Namibia. The first contact with Europeans in the 15th Century leads to the collapse of nomadic pastoralism (D Period between A.D. and 1 000 A.D.). The "Große Spitzkoppe" from the North Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Rockpainting in the "Große Spitzkoppe" Massif (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.) Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks The "Bushmen Paradise" in the Spitzkoppe Massif: Erongo Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Cave in the "Bushmen Paradise" in the Spitzkoppe Massif Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Rockpainting in the Cave in the "Bushmen Paradise" (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.) Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Scene in the Spitzkoppe Massif: Erongo Region Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks The Brandberg with the Königsstein is Namibia's highest Mountain: 2 646 m: View from the East into the Tsisab Valley: The Mountain is composed of a single mass of granite created 120 Million Years ago, a Time of tremendous geological Upheaval in the Earth's History, when the old Gondwana Continent broke apart, separating Africa from South-America: Erongo Region: April 1971 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks The Brandberg from the East into the Tsisab Gorge: with District Road 2359: Erongo Region, March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks The Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg: Erongo Region: View to South West: There are so far approximately 1 000 painted Shelters with 45 000 individual Paintings in the Brandberg Massif identified Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (Around 1500 A.D.): View to the North-East: Erongo Region, March 2003 Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): The famous "White Lady" Rockpainting in Maack's Shelter: Recent Research shows that the Figures are of pure Namibian Origin, April 1971 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks The Rock Paintings in Maack's Shelter with "White Lady" in March 2003: A Number of the Figures, including the "White Lady", display both white and red Body Paint and are highly decorated: There is a lavish Use of Bead Strings and Bands to decorate the Knees, Ankles, Arms, Neck and Hair of the Figures: Since the older Layers of Paintings and the simpler monochrome Figures could perhaps be called "Bushman-Style", it is possible that the San (Bushmen) were in the area in the distant Past: The more complex Figures appear to have been painted later, since they mostly overlie the "Bushman Style" Paintings: We can assume that the Age of these Paintings is at least 2000 Years old and many are much older Ascent from Maack's Shelter to the Giraffe Cave in the Brandberg, Tsisab Gorge: View to the South West, March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): The Giraffe Cave: The Paintings are, usually realistic Portrayals, although they are often drawn with a twisted Perspective: The human Figures have the Trunk, Legs and Head painted in Profile while the Shoulders and Arms are depicted from a Frontal Perspective, March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Ascent from the Giraffe Cave to the Ostrich Cave in the Brandberg, Tsisab Gorge: View to the North East, March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): The Ostrich Cave in March 2003: Many of the Paintings display Brush Marks, therefore we can assume that the Tools used were probably Animal Hair Brushes: The Colours used were Earth Colours, Red Hematite, Yellow Ochre, Charcoal, Black Manganese and Calcium Carbonate Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Ascent from the Ostrich Cave in the Brandberg to Jochmann's Shelter, Tsisab Gorge: View to the South to the Tsisab-Spitze 2228 m, March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks View from Jochmann's Shelter, Tsisab Gorge: View to the North East, March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): Jochmann's Shelter (Lion), March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Rockpaintings in the Tsisab Gorge in the Brandberg (ca. 4400 - 100 B.C.): Jochmann's Shelter (Snake and Giraffe), March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Good Look Cairn" (Nama: Heitsi-Eibib or Haitse-aibeb) established by Pastoral Nomads in the Brandberg: Approx. 1500 A.D.: View from the West into the Hungorob Gorge: March 2003: Erongo Region Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks View from the East into the Ugab Valley (Boundary between Erongo and Kunene Regions): March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks View from the East into the Ugab Valley and a Valley leading to the Doros Crater and the Mikberg Mountains: March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 1: March 2003 Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Pathway used by Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Access to Site 1: March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 2: March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 5: March 2003 Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists in the Ugab Valley (Ugab Crossing)(Around 1600 A.D.): Site 11: March 2003 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Between Doros Crater and Huab River: For Millenniums the Hunter Gatherers and later the Nomadic Pastoralists used the Waterhole of Gai-As: Now the Hole is visited by Desert Elephants and Desert Rhinoceros: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 1: Rock Engravings by Hunter-Gatherers: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: Approximately 2000 Years Old: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 2: Rock Engravings by Hunter-Gatherers: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: Approximately 2000 Years Old: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 3: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: "High Buildings": Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 9: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: North West Settlement: Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 6: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: South West Settlement: Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Prehistoric Site of Gai-As: Site 11: Stone Circle Architecture of Nomadic Pastoralists: East Settlement: Approximately between 1500 and 1900 A.D.: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Twyfelfontein in the Kunene Region: with Africa's largest known Collection of Rock Engravings, April 1980 Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Images of the Rocky Crater of Twyfelfontein: March 2003: In 1921 Reinhardt Maack makes known his Discovery of the Petroglyphs and Rock Paintings on the Sandstone of the Etjo Formation at Twyfelfontein (Ui-Ais)(C1 to E periods: 4400 B.C. - 1400 A.D.). The Petroglyphs are recorded by Ernst Rudolph Scherz from 1950 onwards. He reports that there are 2 500 Rock Engravings on more than 200 Sandstone Slabs: He also discovers some Rockpaintings housed in Sandstone Rock Shelters Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Twyfelfontein with pre-historic Stone Circle of Nomadic Pastoralists (Possible Transition from Windshields to Hut Foundations: D Period between A.D. and 1200 A.D.): Kunene Region: March 2003 Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Twyfelfontein: Rock Engravings: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: April 1980 Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Twyfelfontein: Rock Engravings: Later Stone Age Hunter-Gatherer Culture: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: Some of the Engravings may be as old as 7 000 Years and even much older: The Abstract Designs were probably done by earlier Artists: March 2003: Kunene Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Twyfelfontein with Rockpaintings: C1 to E Periods: 4400 B.C. - 1200 A.D.: The Rockpaintings are younger than the Rockengravings: Kunene Region: March 2003 Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to the Caves with San Rockpaintings: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: View from Cave 1 to the North with Khoichab Dunes in the Background: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 1 with recently discovered San Rockpaintings: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Waterhole near Cave 1: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent from Cave 1 to Cave 2: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 2 with recently discovered San Rockpaintings: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 2 with recently discovered San Rock Engraving: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to Cave 3 from the Base: Karas Region Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to Cave 3: Building Remains in the Form of Stone Circles at the Kirchberg Settlement Site built by Pastoral Nomads in the Namib: Karas Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Ascent to Cave 3: Possible Grave or a "Good Look Cairn" (Nama: Heitsi-Eibib or Haitse-aibeb) established by Pastoral Nomads in the Namib: Karas Region Copyright of Photo: Dr. Klaus Dierks Khoichab Pan Restricted Area: Namib Desert: Kirchberg: East of Khoichab Pan: Cave 3 with recently discovered San Rockpaintings: Estimated C2 Period: 1200 B.C. to A.D.: November 2002: Karas Region Copyright of Photos: Dr. Klaus Dierks The first contact with European visitors in the 15^th century leads to the eventual collapse of nomadic pastoralism (D Period between A.D. and 1200 A.D.).
1200 A.D.	Human-made pathways in the Hungorob valley of Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg (meaning "burnt mountain" or "fire mountain" – "Brandberg" in German, "Dâunas" or "Dâures" in the Khoekhoegowab language (Nama/Dama), "Omukuruwa" in Otjiherero). These pathways are evidence for the interaction of human settlement, the rich rock art and the local environment (E Period between 1200 and 1400 A.D.). Pathways in the Hungorob Gorge: Brandberg: ca 1250 A.D. John Kinahan