Sites

THIS IS THE ARCHIVE FOR SAHRIS 1.0


THIS SITE IS NOW AN ARCHIVE AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MAKING APPLICATIONS

Please be aware that no content and application creation or changes to information on this version of SAHRIS will be retained.

To make applications or utilise SAHRIS for the creation of information, please use the new site:

https://sahris.org.za

Changes to SAHRIS!

The South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS) has undergone a generational upgrade and restructure. These changes to the site include, but are not limited to:

  • A new & modernised look and layout
  • Improved site usage flows with respect to applications and content creation
  • Improved site performance and stability

Launch for the new version of SAHRIS occurred on Monday the 30th of October 2023.

The new site can be found here:

SAHRIS | SAHRIS

9/2/240/0001

Group

SiteHeader

SiteID: 

26789

FullSiteName: 

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

PropertyIsSite: 

Yes

ReferenceList: 

Relationships: 

Group content visibility: 

Public - accessible to all site users

Author: 

Anonymous

FeaturedSite?: 

YES
Post date: 07/08/2012
Site Comments:

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 AD 1220 and AD 1290 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 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 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 thirteen century, Mapungubwe was the centre of the first powerful indigenous kingdom in Southern Africa.

Directions:
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 is formed by the farms Weipe and Reidel.
 
 

Search form