Archaeological Survey and Test-Excavations at Tuli Circle 2 Site, Eastern Botswana

Abstract

Up until recently little was known about the Iron Age archaeology of the Botswana side of the confluence zone of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers. Mothulatshipi (2008)’s PhD research has established that this area was, like other nearby popularly known sites of Mapungubwe, K2 and Zhizo (Leopard Kopje) site at Schroda, utilised intensively by the agro-pastoral communities. Before this work most researchers did not show much interest in the area possibly because of comparatively insignificant material remains, poor visibility of archaeological remains and the difficulty in accessing the area whose present land-use is that of Nature Reserve. This paper presents some of the findings from the surveys and test-excavations conducted at Tuli Circle 2. They show that the cultural practices in terms of use of space, world view and material culture are closely linked to the broader region. These findings are crucial to understanding and from a broader perspective appreciating the socio-political complexities of confluence zone in terms of the kind of key roles central sites like Mapungubwe played in the region.