Cover -- Contents -- Preface: The construction of African pasts -- 1. The changing shape and perception of 'Africa' -- 2. Mythic and mystic Africa -- 3. Looking both ways: The enigma of Raymond Dart -- 4. Egos and fossils -- 5. Stirring the gene pool: Human ancestors from Africa to the wider world -- 6. Ancient Egypt and African sources of civilisation -- 7. Old states good, new states bad -- 8. The present of the past -- Notes -- Index.