This book traces the history of innovations from precolonial times and examines precolonial settlements in southern Africa such as Mapungubwe in LImpopo Province, Bokoni in Mpumalanga Province and Msuluzi in KwaZulu-Natal Province from the perspective of their indigenious technological efforts to harness nature for communal benefit. It is informed by the understanding that national systems of innovation evolve and take shape against the backdrop of regional, continental and global macrosocial dynamics, including corresponding systems of innovation.