Why is Mapungubwe important?

Why is Mapungubwe important?

Until its demise at the end of the 13th century AD, Mapungubwe was the most important inland settlement in the African subcontinent and the cultural landscape contains a wealth of information in archaeological sites that records its development. Mapungubwe’s demise was brought about by climatic change.

When was Mapungubwe Recognised as a heritage site?

Mapungubwe was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in July 2003.

Is Mapungubwe a World Heritage Site for its natural or cultural qualities?

The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (MCL) was recognised in 2003 as a World Heritage Site under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by the General Conference of United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 16 November 1972 (the World …

What makes Mapungubwe National Park unique?

It is one of the few places in Africa that has both meerkats and Nile crocodiles. Mapungubwe National Park is renowned for its scenic landscape, with sandstone formations, woodlands, riverine forest and baobab trees.

What is the heritage site in Limpopo?

Mapungubwe National Park & World Heritage Site
Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site is situated at the very northern part of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, in the beautiful Soutpansberg region and on the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana along the line of the great Limpopo River.

What happens when a place is declared a World Heritage Site?

World Heritage is the designation for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

What was the religious site in the Great Zimbabwe called?

The Hill Complex, which was formerly called the Acropolis, is believed to have been the spiritual and religious centre of the city. It sits on a steep-sided hill that rises 262 feet (80 metres) above the ground, and its ruins extend some 328 feet (100 metres) by 148 feet (45 metres).

Which African kingdom was located in Southern Africa?

The Mutapa Empire or Empire of Great Zimbabwe (1450–1629) was a medieval kingdom located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers of Southern Africa in the modern states of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Remnants of the historical capital are found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe.

What is the heritage site of Northern Cape?

The Honoured Dead Memorial The Honoured Dead Memorial is a provincial heritage site in Kimberley in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

Why is building heritage significant?

Built heritage conservation has significant educational, social, touristic, and political value, contributes to the environmental and financial sustainability of a location, and moreover to the sense of place through the architecture’s visual aesthetic and cultural attributes (Lichfield et al., 1993; Worthing and Bond.

What makes a place a heritage site?

Historic site or heritage site is an official location where pieces of political, military, cultural, or social history have been preserved due to their cultural heritage value. Historic sites are usually protected by law, and many have been recognized with the official national historic site status.

Why is Mapungubwe Hill a World Heritage Site?

The Mapungubwe Hill earned a place on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2003 for a variety of reasons. At its height, the Mapungubwe State was the largest kingdom in the African subcontinent. The establishment of Mapungubwe created an important trading route through the East African ports with Arabia and India.

Why was the Kingdom of Mapungubwe so important?

Mapungubwe had not only become a greater state in Southern Africa, but it also contributed to international trade. It was dealing with super power and civilized traders of the Asian continent. The beginning of globalisation, Mapungubwe was part of those states that were in the forefront. Unit 5- Today: World Heritage Site and Order of Mapungubwe

Is the Mapungubwe National Park teeming with wildlife?

The park isn’t teeming with wildlife: there are no fences between the park and the adjoining zones in Botswana and Zimbabwe, so the animals migrate a lot between the three countries. Also the density of mopane bushes makes it hard to see smaller animals.

How big was the Mapungubwe settlement in Zimbabwe?

Mapungubwe was a large inland settlement that pre-dates the much better-known Great Zimbabwe. There’s a hint of Kernave to its story: the chief with his close allies lived in a palace on the hill, whille the common people inhabited villages below. In its heyday in the 13th century, the society is believed to have consisted of 9,000 people.