| Mapungubwe |
Articles about Mapungubwe |
Information AboutMapungubwe |
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| world heritage sites in south africa | |
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SOCIETY Mapungubwean society was "the most complex in southern Africa" . It is thought by archaeologists to be the first class-based social system in southern Africa--that is, its leaders were separated from and higher in rank than its inhabitants. Life in Mapungubwe was centered around family and farming. Special sites were created for initiation ceremonies, household activities, and other social functions. Cattle lived in Kraal s located close to the residents' houses, signifying their value. Most speculation about society continues to be based upon the remains of buildings, since the Mapungubweans left no written or oral record. DISCOVERY After Mapungubwe's fall, it was forgotten until 1932 , when a local resident reported Mapungubwe's existence to the University Of Pretoria , paving the way for excavations that continue to this day. Despite the discovery of many gold artifacts, Mapungubwe was originally kept secret, as the existence of a black-ruled civilization challenged South Africa's then-current Apartheid policies. MAPUNGUBWE NATIONAL PARK The area is now part of Mapungubwe National Park, which with the Tuli Block (Botswana) and the Tuli Safari area (Zimbabwe), forms part of Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Park. EXTERNAL LINKS
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