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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Leokwe and K2: ethnic stratification during the Middle Iron Age in southern Africa
Author:Huffman, Thomas N.ISNI
Year:2007
Periodical:Journal of African Archaeology
Volume:5
Issue:2
Pages:163-188
Language:English
Geographic terms:Botswana
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Subjects:archaeology
Iron Age
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/43135429
Abstract:The Middle Iron Age (AD 900-1300) in southern Africa is of special interest because of the rise of social complexity at K2 and Mapungubwe sites, predating Great Zimbabwe. Surrounding the confluence of the Shashe-Limpopo rivers, the Mapungubwe landscape covered parts of present-day Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Recent research in the Shashe-Limpopo basin advances the understanding of the development of social complexity at K2 and Mapungubwe. J. Calabrese (2000, 2005) shows that ethnic interaction between Leokwe and K2 peoples led to ethnic stratification. More specifically, some Zhizo people chose to live among K2 people. Now called Leokwe because of ceramic changes, Leokwe and K2 people maintained separate group identities. However, one aspect of Calabrese's theory - that class distinction was first expressed at Leokwe Hill before Mapungubwe - is not supported by more recent data. Re-examination of ceramics, glass beads and radiocarbon dates shows that Leokwe Hill was not earlier, but contemporaneous with Mapungubwe, while structural remains show that the Leokwe deposit derived from ritual rather than residential activity. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract, edited]
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