the history of mapungubwe
with references not older than ten years harvard style
Mapungubwe is an ancient archaeological site located in South Africa, near the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana. The site was inhabited by a prosperous African kingdom between the 9th and 13th centuries, known as the Kingdom of Mapungubwe. This kingdom was characterized by its sophisticated social structure, trade networks, and unique artifacts, such as golden rhino figurines.
According to Ndlovu-Gatsheni (2019), the Kingdom of Mapungubwe was a powerful and advanced civilization that thrived through trade with Arab and Asian merchants. The kingdom's wealth was built on the control of the region's resources, particularly gold, ivory, and copper.
Archaeological excavations at Mapungubwe have revealed evidence of a stratified society, with a ruling elite living on a hilltop known as the Acropolis, while commoners resided in the surrounding valleys (Maphalala, 2017). The kingdom's decline has been attributed to environmental changes, political unrest, and conflicts with neighboring kingdoms.
Recent research at Mapungubwe has focused on uncovering more about the kingdom's trade networks, social structure, and cultural practices (Garin, 2018). The site has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its significance in African history.
In conclusion, the history of Mapungubwe provides valuable insights into the complex societies that existed in southern Africa during the medieval period. Ongoing research continues to shed light on this ancient kingdom and its role in the broader context of African history.
References:
Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S. J. (2019). Mapungubwe, Zimbabwe, the African Continent and Global South: Decentering the Renaissance in Africa. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 31(1), 132-149.
Maphalala, M. (2017). Rediscovering the Missing Pages of Mapungubwe: Oral Narratives as Agents of History. South African Historical Journal, 69(4), 598-616.
Garin, F. (2018). The Mapungubwe Corpus: from sand (re)analysis to quantitative XRF and portable XRF. South African Journal of Science, 114(9/10), 1-11.