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Perched on a plateau a few
kilometres west of Pafuri, the walled citadel of Thulamela flourished from
AD 1 200 to 1 600, and its discovery is regarded as one of the most
important archaeological finds in South Africa. Its open-air museum,
opened in September 1996, is the second archaeological site in the Kruger
Park that is accessible to the public. Since 1993 the ruins of the
citadel have been excavated and rebuilt with great care. Research has
shown that Thulamela was a highly organised mountain stronghold, ruled by
a king. Now Archaeologists that Great Zimbabwe did not disintegrate but
rather divided into smaller groups, one of which came south to Thulamela.
Its inhabitants were skilled goldsmiths from the Late Iron Age who traded
in gold objects. Glass beads from India and Chinese Ming Dynasty porcelain
have also been unearthed. The discovery of iron gongs is proof that there
were trade links with West Africa. The king’s inner royal enclosure
bordered the steep cliffs overlooking the Luvuvhu River. The king’s
dwellings were nearby. After the death of the king, around 1600, Thulamela
was abandoned. Through excavations at Thulamela, evidence of metal ore and
gold droplets were found, indicating that this industrial complex worked
with iron and gold. Golden beads and golden thread were also found.
The remains of the king and
queen were recently found due to excavations.
The queen, who was buried around 1550, had her head facing the king’s
chamber. Both the queen and the king’s bodies were ornamented with gold,
indicating their royal status.
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Experience first hand with Southern Cross Experiences, in the company of
paleo-anthropologists, the myriad of mysteries that have lain buried for
centuries in the soils and rocks of
The
Cradle of Humankind
–
Southern Cross geologists will transport you millions of years back in
time to the genesis of this vast and ancient continent.
In Southern Africa stories are literally embedded in the
rocks and stones of its plains, rocky outcrops, caves and ancient ruins.
Visit the mystical Valley of Sterkfontein, the world’s richest source of
ape-man fossils.
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