Mapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14
Mapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14 North Annex · Mapungubwe Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇿🇦 Limpopo, Mapungubwe, South Africa
About
About Mapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14
Mapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14 in Limpopo, Mapungubwe, South Africa is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at -22.2120N 29.4040E controls access to Limpopo resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Limpopo, Mapungubwe, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1966 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Mapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14 main structure
c. 1946
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1961–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Mapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
22.2120° S · 29.4040° E · 402 m · 4 mapped features
Mapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
22.2112° S · 29.4049° EMapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14 — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
22.2130° S · 29.4033° EMapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
22.2105° S · 29.4052° EMapungubwe Hill Summit Grave 14 — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
22.2136° S · 29.4029° E