Mapungubwe Flashcards
What was Mapungubwe?
Mapungubwe was a wealthy city in the BuKalanga Kingdom
Who found the ruins of Mapungubwe?
Mr ESJ van Graan
Between which two rivers in Mapungubwe situated?
The Limpopo and the Shashe
What was Mapungubwe thought to mean?
Hill of Jackals
Why was it referred to as “The place where the rock turns into a liquid”?
It was referring to the processing of gold that took place there
How many people where estimated to have lived there?
Five thousand, making it one of the biggest settlements in Southern Africa at the time
What made Mapungubwe a suitable living area?
It had lots of water and the hills provided protection. It also had access to ivory and gold
What makes Mapungubwe special?
They were the first society in Southern Africa to have a social class system
What were the three classes of people?
Royal family on the Mapungubwe hill, leaders and advisors on the smaller surrounding hills and commoners on the lowest lying areas
What were some of the things the farmers produced?
Millet, sorghum and cotton
Where was the Golden Rhino found?
In a king’s grave on Mapungubwe Hill
Explain how the golden objects were made?
Gold was hammered into a thin sheet and molded over a wooden core
Which present day province is the archeological site of Mapungubwe in?
Limpopo province
Why did the king live on Mapungubwe Hill?
To show his importance over the other people and it was believed that it brought him closer to the ancestors
