Mapungubwe

Mapungubwe is one of South Africa's best-kept secrets. The Hill of the Jackal was the centre of a thriving civilisation around 800 AD-1200 AD. This work contains images of the gold artefacts, the pottery and the beadwork - together with a history of the civilisation.

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Mapungubwe was discovered 75 years ago and has remained one of South Africa's best-kept secrets. The Hill of the Jackal was the centre of a thriving civilisation around 800 AD-1200 AD. Extensive trade with Arab and Chinese merchants took place here, as did the making of exquisite gold ornaments. Eventually, the people moved on to what in now great Zimbabwe, leaving behind a wealth of gold artefacts (3,000 to date), pottery and beadwork in the burial plots on Mapungubwe hill. Was this the site of the legendary King Solomon's mines? Who knows? But, there are 20,000 Iron Age goldmines in the surrounding areas. Here then is a feast of images of the gold artefacts, the pottery and the beadwork - together with a brief history of the civilisation - Mapungubwe is now to become a Heritage site - and there is a permanent exhibition of artefacts at the University of Pretoria. The Vembe Dongola National Park, which contains Mapungubwe, has now been renamed Mapungubwe National Park.