Mapungubwe, livre ebook

Between AD 900 and 1300, the Shashe-Limpopo basin in Limpopo Province witnessed the development of an ancient civilisation. Like civilisations everywhere, it consisted of a complex social organisation supported by intensive agriculture and long-distance trade. The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, as it is now known, was the forerunner of the famous town of Great Zimbabwe, situated about 200 kilometres to the north, and its cultural connection to Great Zimbabwe and the Venda people allows archaeologists to reconstruct its evolution. This generously illustrated book tells the story of an African civilisation that began more than 1000 years ago. It is the first in a series of accessible books written by specialists for visitors to South Africa’s World Heritage Sites.
Acknowledgements OCCUPATION OF THE SHASHE-LIMPOPO BASIN INTRODUCTION GEOLOGY AND CLIMATE SCHRODA The Capital Figurines Elephants and settlements K2 The Capital Chief’s residential area Burials Copper and iron working Ivory and glass beads Court, kraal and midden Commoners Agriculture Rainmaking Ethnicity Social changes MAPUNGUBWE Southern terrace Court officials Occupation area Approaches First king Stonewalling First Town Second King Royal wives Royal cemetery Golden rhinos Gold working First state Internal trade and contacts External trade Commoners Climatic change ICON, KHAMI AND VENDA Icon and Khami occupations Origins of the Venda Venda occupation CONCLUSION FURTHER READING GLOSSARY