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Gold in the Southern African iron age

A technological investigation of the mapungubwe and other finds

  • Published: June 1984
  • Volume 17, pages 70–78, (1984)
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Gold in the Southern African iron age
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  • Andrew Oddy1 
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  • 14 Citations

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Abstract

The finds of worked gold artifacts at Mapungubwe and other areas in the Southern African interior dating back to about the end of the first millennium A.D. are of great interest in revealing the level and techniques of manufacturing carried on in the region at this time.

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References

  1. L. Fouch`e, ‘Mapungubwe I’, Cambridge, 1937

  2. G.A. Gardner, ‘Mapungubwe II’, Pretoria, 1963

  3. P.S. Garlake, ‘Great Zimbabwe’, London, 1973

  4. R. Summers, K.R. Robinson and A. Whitty, ‘Zimbabwe Excavations’, Occasional Papers of the National Museum of Southern Rhodesia III, 23a, 1961

  5. B.M. Faganet al., ‘Iron Age Cultures in Zimbabwe’, Vol. II, London, 1969

  6. B.M. Fagan, ‘Ingombe Ilede: Early Trade in South Central Africa’, McCaleb Module in Anthropology, No. 19, 1972

  7. E. Frey, ‘Methods of Goldworking at Ingombe Ilede’, in B.M. Fagan, ‘Iron Age Cultures in Zambia’, Vol. I, London, 1967, pp. 237–238

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  8. W.A. Oddy, ‘Gold Wire on the Thetford Jewellery and the Technology of Wire Production in Roman Times’, in C. Johns and T. Potter, ‘The Thetford Treasure’, British Museum, London, 1983, pp. 62–64

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  9. H.A. Stayt, ‘The Bavenda’, International Institute of African Languages and Cultures, Oxford, 1931, pp. 64–68

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  10. K.G. Lindblom, ‘Wire-Drawing, Especially in Africa’, Statens Etnografiska Museum, Smärre Meddelanden No. 15, Stockholm, 1939

  11. J.A. van Schalkwyk, ‘Die Vervaardiging van Koperdraad en Krale deur die Ndzundza’,Ethnology (South African journal of Ethnology), 1982,5, (2), 15–20

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  12. W. Cline, ‘Mining and Metallurgy in Negro Africa’, General Series in Anthropology No. 5, Menasha, 1939, pp. 109–111

  13. See (5), Fig. 35

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conservation Division, The British Museum, London, UK

    Andrew Oddy

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  1. Andrew Oddy
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Oddy, A. Gold in the Southern African iron age. Gold Bull 17, 70–78 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03214702

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  • Issue date: June 1984

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03214702

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Keywords

  • Gold Wire
  • Gold Foil
  • Large Bead
  • Gold Jewellery
  • Gold Bead

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