10 Interesting Mapungubwe Facts

Mapungubwe Facts inform you with the pre colonial state in Southern Africa. Mapungubwe was a kingdom which existed in 1075 to 1220. It is located to the south of Great Zimbabwe or at the confluence of Limpopo and Shashe River. Find out more facts about Mapungubwe in the following post below:

Mapungubwe Facts 1: Kingdom of Zimbabwe

Before the Kingdom of Zimbabwe was created, it was initiated with the development of kingdom Mapungubwe. The Zimbabwe kingdom is considered as the culmination of Mapungubwe kingdom which was created in 13th century. Read Great Zimbabwe facts here.

Mapungubwe Facts 2: population

The high of the population in Mapungubwe was 5000 people. It only lasted for 70 years.

Mapungubwe Pic

Mapungubwe Facts 3: K2 culture

The largest settlement in Mapungubwe had K2 Culture.  People also called it as Leopard’s Kopje Culture. The people lived by using the mixed of agricultural systems. They were very attracted with the Shahsi Limpopo area located near the river.

Mapungubwe Facts 4: Mapungubwe Hill

Mapungubwe Hill was used as a place of living after the population of K2 people grew larger. They decided to live on the hill in 1075.

Mapungubwe Site

Mapungubwe Facts 5: the power of K2 Culture

The K2 culture was very powerful because the land could give them the precious ivory from the prime elephant country. The gold and ivory trade in the area was controlled by K2 culture.

Mapungubwe Facts 6: Stone masonry

Stone masonry was very important in Mapungubwe kingdom. The important region in the area will be demarcated by using stone walls.

Mapungubwe Facts

Mapungubwe Facts 7: name

The name of the kingdom was derived from the name of the capital of the kingdom, Mapungubwe. Today, this area of the kingdom is included in South African National Heritage Site. It is also an archeological site and a national park. You can visit it if you want to.

Mapungubwe Facts 8: Mapungubwe society

To learn about the life of the people in the Mapungubwe society, people need to look at that spatial arrangement and architecture of Mapungubwe. The leaders in the society were very exclusive because they were separated from lay people. They had high rank in the society.

Mapungubwe National Park

Mapungubwe Facts 9: family and farming

Farming was very important to the life of Mapungubwe people.  The cattle were raised near the family’s housing. You can also find special sites used by the family of Mapungubwe to perform household activities and ceremonies.

Mapungubwe Facts 10: Burials at Mapungubwe Hill

Mapungubwe Hill had a burial site where at least 24 skeletons were found there. The scientists can only analyze 11 of them.

Mapungubwe

On 20 November 2007, all skeletons were reburied again on the Mapungubwe hill. The government also provided a special ceremony. Are you fascinated with facts about Mapungubwe?