An archaeological investigation of Mahula Hill : a thirteenth century settlement in the southern Kruger National Park.

Abstract

This study revisits the Early Iron Age (EIA) communities in the southern Kruger National Park, building upon Andre Meyer’s 1980s survey that identified 17 Skukuza (SK) sites but missed Mahula Hill. Discovered and excavated by Anton Pelser between 2016 and 2019, Mahula Hill's strategic location along trade routes linking to the Mozambique coastline makes it a key site for understanding regional interactions. This research focuses on the material culture from Mahula Hill, as well as from the SK 4, SK 9, and SK 11 sites. Key artefacts, including glass beads, ceramics, shell disc beads, bone tools, stone tools, and metal objects, were analysed to establish a chronological framework and to examine site-level activities, consumption patterns, and regional linkages. Faunal and botanical analyses further reveal the dietary practices of these communities. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of the Early Iron Age landscape of the southern Kruger National Park, offering new insights into the social and economic networks that shaped the region. The findings include three samples that provided uncalibrated dates of 590±50, 760±60, and 720±60, which, after calibration, correspond to AD 1294-1425, AD 1161-1389, and AD 1215-1397, as well as uncalibrated date of 703±25, calibrated to AD 1270-1384. These dates have assisted in establishing a chronological framework for Mahula Hill allowing for the further development of this study. Additionally,28 glass beads, ranging in diameter from 2mm to 4.5mm, with the most common being tube-shaped (42%), classified into six shapes, reflecting reheating processes with dominant colours of citron and green, futher providing a chronological context for the site. Pertaining consumption patterns the Mahula Hill assemblage includes a variety of taxa, open grassland grazers like zebra, forest dwellers like impala, and riverine species like fish and serrated hinged turtle. Large mammals like giraffe and smallest mammal like crab are also present. The zebra is the most common species, at 6.5%. Additionally seeds were analyzed, revealing taxa such as Sclerocarya Birrea endocarp's fragment, Sclerocarya Birrea operculum, and amorphous material of a Sclerocarya Birrea nut. All bones tools showed sustained forceful impact, indicating macrofracture. Diagnostic impact fractures included crushing, bending, and hunting fractures. There are 4140 stone artefacts identified, 99% quartz, and 0.1% polishing stones, excluding lower grinders.