Kingdom of Mapungubwe

Mapungubwe is an archaeological site in Musina in the Northern Province of South Africa. On the excavated since 1933 King of the Hill graves were found, and in the lower regions remains of a city.

First settlements of farmers at the Limpopo dated about the year 900, about the well-known than Schroda place. According to the University of Pretoria Mapungubwe was around the time 1030-1290. Was formed as an expansion of the settlement at some northern Bambandyanalo Hill found (also known under the name of K 2 ). With the decline of Mapungubwe due to changing climatic conditions begins the rise of the Empire of Great Zimbabwe.

Only for about 70 years has been the colonization of the hilltop. The excavations suggest that only those rulers and their soldiers survived and were nourished by the living in the lower regions farmers. This would be the earliest evidence of a class society in southern Africa. During this period, the total number of persons who were connected with the rule in Mapungubwe, estimated at 9000, of which 3000-5000 in the city.

The artifacts found are glass beads, porcelain, ivory, copper, gold. Many of them point to intense trade relations with the East African coast. They are kept in Pretoria, at the Museum in the near Musina replicas are on display. The most famous find is probably a carved of wood, plated with gold foil rhinoceros.

Since 2003, the archaeological sites and the surrounding countryside UNESCO World Heritage Site, also they have the status of a national park (see Mapungubwe National Park ). The name Mapungubwe means "place of the stone of wisdom '.

Threat of coal mine

The South African government has approved the construction of a coal mine in the immediate Umgebeung the World Heritage Site and National Park in 2011. Opponents fear for the time after completion of the mine exposure to dust for animal and plant life, as well as contamination of drinking water. They also fear the establishment of coal power plants and an increased volume of traffic through truck traffic. The ongoing construction of the mine was stopped in late 2011 by the Ministry of Environment of South Africa.