The !Kung, also known as the San or the derogatory term "Bushmen" are known as the earliest hunter and gatherer society known today. They live in the Kalahari desert of Botswana and speak a language that is similar to a series of clicks. Their history may begin with the ending of the Stone Age. For example 10,000 year old human skeletal remains are similar to that of the !Kung in the 19th and 20th century. Another indicator that the !Kung may have originated around the time of the late Stone Age are the rock paintings and artwork found around the region. The rock paintings show traditions and methods used by the early !Kung hunters that are still used today. The oldest !Kung rock painting known today is radiocarbon-dated to be approximately 26,000 years old.

The !Kung's way of life was challenged many times. For example during the iron age, agriculture was becoming more and more possible so the people of the north and started moving more and more south to grow crops and raise their cattle. By doing this, it pushed the !Kung deeper south. Another example of when the !Kung were challenged was was the arrival of European colonists. Within two centuries, the Europeans were able to wipe out a majority of the !Kung people with their advanced weaponry, their ability to ride animals such as horses and new diseases.

THe !Kung that were able to survive were the ones that were able to make it to inhabitable places such as the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. Here, the !Kung were able to continue their ancient way of life. Due to the fact that the land is waterless for a majority of the year, and the environment was difficult for modern vehicles to navigate through, The !Kung way of life was protected from outside influences until  the 1900's.