Abstract:
After excavations on Mapungubwe by the Department of Archaeology
of the University of Pretoria. two definitive research reports emerged
in 1979 and 1980. These reports placed the cultural historical framework
for Mapungubwe on a firm foundation. superannuating earlier work
that had been variously criticised as unsuitable for comparative purposes.
The objectives of this research project were to excavate a related site
in order to expand the avai I able comparative data and extend the spatial
perspective of the Mapungubwe culture. To this end the site of
Skutwater was selected.
The material recovered from Skutwater was subjected to various analyses
for defining the internal structure of Skutwater and generating
comparative data. As far as possible quantitative data were used for
comparisons.
The relationship between Skutwater and Mapungubwe was interpreted
within certain social. economic and political models and a definate
relationship was found to exist.
