Pre-Colonial Era
Before 1652
For over 100,000 years before European contact, Southern Africa was home to diverse indigenous peoples with rich cultures, sophisticated societies, and deep connections to the land. From the earliest evidence of modern human behavior to complex Iron Age kingdoms engaged in international trade, this era represents the vast majority of human history in the region.
Key Themes
Population
Estimated 1-2 million people by 1500 CE
Sources & References
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Interactive Timeline
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Explore the Timeline
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Southern Africa is one of the cradles of humankind, with fossil evidence of early hominids and the evolution of modern humans.
The San (hunter-gatherers) and Khoikhoi (pastoralists) were the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa for tens of thousands of years.
Bantu-speaking peoples migrated into Southern Africa, bringing iron-working, agriculture, and new social organizations.
By the 16th century, numerous kingdoms and chiefdoms existed across Southern Africa, each with distinct cultures and political systems.