Four systematic transects covering a total of 150000 m2 through the different ecological zones of an area of the central Namib desert near Gobabeb demonstrated that surface archaeological finds in the area are related to microtopographic variations. Marked variations in archaeological visibility are probably more important than behavioural factors in controlling observable site and off-site distributiuons. Keywords: Namibia, Namib Desert, Gobabeb, Kuiseb River, desert environment, Topnaar community, indigenous people, endemic plants, archaeology, artefacts, Acanthosicyos horrida, Oryx gazella, hunter-gatherer, Stone Age culture, early man, desert adaptation.