Calabrese (2005) identified two distinct ceramics styles in the Shashe-
Limpopo basin at the same time – Leokwe and K2. This is the first record of ethnicity
in the Iron Age of southern Africa.
With this identification come new avenues for research. How these groups
interacted, and their relative status through time is the focus of my research.
According to Calabrese, some Leokwe groups maintained a higher, or at least
equal status on initial contact with K2, before K2 became the dominant political
group. He bases this claim on the identification of what he terms ‘Elite Symbolic
Objects’ at sites, such as Castle Rock.
Using GIS, it is clear that the locale of sites differ within the landscape.
Specifically, locations vary through time on the escarpment and floodplain and their
relationship to primary and secondary resources. This variation suggests that access
to resources was controlled, and this implication influences ones assessment of the
relative status of K2 and Leokwe groups.
Additionally, new excavations at Castle Rock call into question the validity of
‘elite symbolic objects’ in determining status.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/6967 |
| Date | 22 May 2009 |
| Creators | Du Piesanie, Justine |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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