Major Rock Paintings of Southern Africa (Signed Limited Edition)

​Major Rock Paintings of Southern Africa by R. Townley Johnson is a seminal work that offers an in-depth visual and scholarly exploration of Southern Africa’s prehistoric rock art. Published in 1979 by David Philip of Cape Town, this large-format hardcover volume spans 94 pages and is edited by archaeologist Tim Maggs. The book presents 106 meticulously reproduced rock paintings, with nearly half rendered in full color. Notably, 60 of these images were previously unpublished, and many others had not been adequately reproduced until this edition. ​

R. Townley Johnson, an artist, conservationist, and mountaineer, dedicated over 25 years to the precise replication of more than 1,000 rock paintings. His commitment extended to capturing the exact texture of the rock surfaces, preserving artworks that, in some cases, have since been defaced or destroyed. ​

The book’s large format (approximately 330 x 335 mm) allows for detailed facsimile reproductions that showcase the variety and quality of these ancient artworks. Dr. Ray Inskeep of the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, praises the collection in his preface, stating that many of the paintings are “works of great artistic merit” and that, were they on canvas or board, they would be considered national art treasures in most countries. ​

This volume is a valuable resource for scholars, art historians, and enthusiasts interested in prehistoric art, offering both visual splendor and scholarly insight into Southern Africa’s rich Stone Age heritage.​