First Settlements in the Limpopo Valley

Question 1

How many years ago did the first farmers move from Northern Parts of Africa into Southern Africa?

Answer 1

2000 years ago

Question 2

What did they bring with them?

Answer 2

herds of animals, crops and skills required to make iron

Question 3

What did they use iron for?

Answer 3

farming tools, like hoes
weapons
ornaments

Question 4

How does archaeologists know this about these people?

Answer 4

They found many clues

Question 5

What did archaeologists call this period?

Answer 5

Iron Age

Question 6

From which year to year did things started to change and certain settlements developed into big rich African cities

Answer 6

AD 900 to AD 1300

Question 7

Big rich African cities developed because?

Answer 7

was enough food
people to grow food
people to look after cattle
people who made goods and tools to trade
they were in an area that was close enough to the coast for trading

Question 8

Archaeologists discovered the remains of three Capital cities in the Limpopo Basin - the Middle Iron Age - which 3 cities?

Answer 8

Schroda (AD900-1000)
K2 (AD900-1220)
Mapungubwe (AD1220-1300)

Question 9

Explain what we know about the Schroda people?

Answer 9

Existed more than 1000 years ago
More than just farmers
Also miners, metalworkers, builders and traders
They collected and stored gold and ivory
They traded often for beads and cloth like silk and cotton

Question 10

Why was Ivory a valuable material?

Answer 10

It was soft enough to carve and yet strong enough to use as spoons, combs or knitting needles.

Question 11

Is it now legal or illegal to trade in ivory?

Answer 11

Illegal

Question 12

What did Archaeological excavations at Schroda uncovered?

Answer 12

Exotic glass beads
Ivory
Pottery
Large collection of animals, human and fantasy creature figures

Question 13

Name 3 animals found in carvings?

Answer 13

Giraffe, elephant, eland

Question 14

At the beginning of the 13th Century, the largest settlement was situated at

Answer 14

K2

Question 15

How many people lived at K2

Answer 15

about 1500 people

Question 16

What did archaeological excavations at K2 uncover?

Answer 16

iron bangles
round and square wire
glass beads
pendants
cattle bone fragments
remarkable knife with an ivory handle

Question 17

For how many years were K2 the capital?

Answer 17

about 200 years from AD900 - AD 1220

Question 18

How was the settlements arranged in K2?

Answer 18

Arranged around a central area (kraal) where the cattle were kept.
Chief lived on western edge

Question 19

When did the K2 ceased being the capital? What became the capital?

Answer 19

about 1220

Mapungubwe became the new capital

Question 20

What is the “Hill of the Jackals”?

Answer 20

In Limpopo Province near Limpopo River
A hill called Mapungubwe, which means Hill of the Jackals
Venda people live near it today
They believe it is a forbidden place which is sacred to their ancestors

Question 21

In which year did prospectors found treasure on the top of the hill?

Answer 21

1932

Question 22

Since 1932 archaeologists have been excavating in the area, uncovering many

Answer 22

artefacts

They have also started to dig underground to find things

Question 23

What did the South African government unofficially declare in 1934?

Answer 23

Declared Mapungubwe hill as a protected heritage site

Question 24

Who uncovered Mapungubwe in 1932?

Answer 24

Jerry van Graan

Question 25

Who was the guide in 1932 when Mapungubwe was discovered?

Answer 25

Mowena