Since the 1990s, Wits archaeologists have investigated the last 2000 years in the Mapungubwe landscape.
Various graduate students have investigated ethnic stratification (Calabrese PhD 2005), climate change and herding strategies (Smith PhD 2005), glass beads and international trade (Wood MA 2005), the ethno-archaeology (Murimbika PhD 2006) and archaeology (Schoeman PhD 2006) of rainmaking, the relationship of settlements to the landscape (du Piesanie MSc 2008), faunal remains (Fatherley MSc 2009), agricultural production (Chandler Honours 2009) and spherulites in cattle dung (Mashimbye MSc in prep).
Current research includes settlements during the Khami Period (du Piesanie PhD) and herding strategies (Hanisch PhD). In addition, we are collaborating with visiting scientists for a DNA study of cattle bones (Otago, New Zealand), paleo-magnetism (KZN and Rochester) and OSL dating (Arizona).
For further information contact: Tom Huffman; Department of Archaeology, University of the Witwatersrand, Thomas.Huffman@wits.ac.za |
