Exploitation and management of animal resources during the Middle Iron Age. Northern Limpopo Province, South Africa

The research presents an interpretation of faunal remains from two Middle Iron Age sites located in the northern part of the Limpopo region (South Africa). Mapungubwe is an important regional center during the 13th century AD, while Mutamba is a small agro-pastoral settlement contemporary to the period of maximum hegemony of the capital, located at the southernmost limit of Mapungubwe influence. In addition to the zooarchaeological analysis, an ethnozooarchaeological research was carried out in a local Venda community. Living with the local people, the ways of life and economic strategies adopted by the venda group have been documented. Furthermore, the published data concerning the Mapungubwe area of influence were collected. The aim of the research was to reconstruct the dynamics of exploitation and management of animal resources during the Iron Age in the northern part of the Limpopo region.