Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape: Limpopo (Northern)
Province.
Description: Mapungubwe is set hard against the northern border of South
Africa, joining Zimbabwe and Botswana. It is an open, expansive savannah landscape at the
confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. Mapungubwe developed into the largest kingdom
in the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. What survives are the
almost untouched remains of the palace sites and also the entire settlement area dependent
upon them, as well as two earlier capital sites, the whole presenting an unrivalled
picture of the development of social and political structures over some 400 years.
Justification for Inscription: Criterion (ii): The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
contains evidence for an important interchange of human values that led to far-reaching
cultural and social changes in Southern Africa between AD 900 and 1300. Criterion (iii):
The remains in the Mapungubwe cultural landscape are a remarkably complete testimony to
the growth and subsequent decline of the Mapungubwe state which at its height was the
largest kingdom in the African sub-continent. Criterion (iv): The establishment of
Mapungubwe as a powerful state trading through the East African ports with Arabia and
India was a significant stage in the history of the African sub-continent. Criterion (v):
The remains in the Mapungubwe cultural landscape graphically illustrate the impact of
climate change and record the growth and then decline of the kingdom of Mapungubwe as a
clear record of a culture that became vulnerable to irreversible change. (Source: UNESCO)
Mapungubwe National Park: Out of
the mist of the mysterious past rises the Mapungubwe National Park. Located at the confluence of the mighty
Shashi and Limpopo Rivers, this envisaged transfrontier park embracing South Africa,
Botswana and Zimbabwe gives tangible proof by way of the rich fossil deposits, Bushman
rock art and gold artefacts of ancient civilisations that once flourished here. The giant
baobab trees, riverine forests and associated flood plains provide an intriguing mix of
habitat for a tremendous diversity of creatures, among them the rare Pel’s fishing
owl. Here herds of elephant and buffalo roam, and the roar of the hunting lion, chills
your blood as it stills the night. Its location puts it at the meeting point of Botswana,
Zimbabwe and South Africa. The area is intended to become a Transfrontier Park linking
Mapungubwe with Botswana’s Tuli Block and the Tuli Safari Area of Zimbabwe. Most of Africa’s big game still occurs in the area and the bird,
reptile, invertebrate and plant diversity is still rich. While the park
currently has limited facilities, visitors to the area can make use of privately run
facilities. The highlight of the park is the Mapungubwe Archaeological Site. This location
was a precursor to Great Zimbabwe and Thulamela. It was also the location where the Gold
Rhino and many other artefacts were uncovered ... Additional Information » |
