In The Art of Tracking: The Origin of Science, Louis Liebenberg presents a compelling exploration of how the ancient practice of animal tracking by hunter-gatherers laid the groundwork for the development of scientific reasoning. Drawing from his extensive fieldwork with the Kalahari San people, Liebenberg illustrates how tracking requires the formulation of hypotheses, testing, and deduction—processes that mirror the scientific method.

This insightful work bridges anthropology, cognitive science, and evolutionary biology, proposing that the intellectual skills honed through tracking were instrumental in the cognitive evolution of humans. Liebenberg’s narrative not only sheds light on the sophistication of indigenous knowledge systems but also challenges conventional perceptions of science’s origins.

The Art of Tracking is an essential read for those interested in anthropology, the history of science, and the rich intellectual traditions of indigenous cultures.