Overview
Identifiers
Descriptions
The Mapungubwe Cultural landscape records the sequency of social and economic changes between AD900 and AD1300 that reflect the evolution of class distinction and sacred leadership in the settlements known as Schroda, K2 and Mapungubwe. These are the only places where exotic trade and non-utilitarian items have been found in such large quantities in South Africa.
Mapungubwe Hill and the surrounding terraces below it were occupied mainly between AD1220 and AD1290 at a time when the Mapungubwe culture was at its zenith. It is the best-known example in this cultural landscape of the effects of accumulated wealth on social stratification that led to the separation of the ruling class from the commoners. The elite hilltop settlement, with royal graves, gold, copper and other ceremonial artefacts and trade goods, is physically and cognitively distinct from the larger commoner agricultural settlement at the base of the hill. Wealth in the ruling class grew from trade with the east coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean network centuries before Europeans found the sea route to India. While ideal climatic conditions for agriculture prevailed in the thirteenth century, Mapungubwe was the centre of the first powerful indigenous kingdom in Southern Africa.
References
Record Administration
Location
Location
- Vhembe
- Musina
South Africa
Erf/Farm Portion: n/a
Address:
Unknown Unknown
Unknown
Messina
Gradings
Grading
archiveimport Grading by: South African Heritage Resources Agency
As indicated in the Integrated Managment Plan: "The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (MCL) and the Vhembe/Dongola National Park are situated on the southern banks of the Limpopo River. The river forms the northern border of South Africa near the confluence with the Shashe River which separates Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north-west and north-east respectively. The MCL was the centre of the first powerful indigenous kingdom in Southern Africa. It was established by the cultural ancestors of the present-day North Sotho and Venda between AD 900 and 1300. Evidence for its history is preserved in over 400 archaeological sites in South Africa and scores more in Botswana and Zimbabwe. The dynamic interaction between society and landscape laid the foundation for a new type of social organisation in the region. Wealth accrued by its leaders from trade with the Indian Ocean network during a period of favourable climatic conditions led to the separation of the ruling elite from the commoners. This social hierarchy impacted on the landscape when Mapungubwe Hill was occupied and modified for the elite few and substantial villages were occupied on the plains below. The onset of the Little Ice Age caused drought and crop failures. The kingdom dispersed after AD 1300, new social and political alliances were formed, and the centre of regional power shifted to Great Zimbabwe north of the Limpopo River".
Declarations
Declaration
The South Africa Heritage Resources Agency hereby declare the Mapungubwe Cultural landscapes, in terms of s27 of the National Heritage Resources Act, No. 25 of 1999, as a National Heritage Site. The Mapungubwe cultural landscape covers the same area as the Limpopo Valley National Park. It is situated between the Limpopo River to the north and the R572 between Pont Drift and Messina to the south. The western boundary is the R521 from Pont Drift to the R572 turn off. The eastern boundary id formed by the farms Weipe and Reidel. The Mapungubwe Cultural landscape records the sequency of social and economical changes between AD 900 and AD 1300 that reflect the evolution of class distinction and sacred leadership in the settlement known as Schroda, K2 and Mapungubwe. These are the places where exotic trade and non-utilitarian items have been found in such large quantities in Southern Africa.
Media
Media
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 South Africa License.
Take the N1 North to Polokwane. Pass Polokwane, towards Musina. At Musina, take the R572 for 75km till you reach the South African National Parks Board Entrance and Reception gate on the right-hand side of the road.