Contrary to the conventional interpretation of SA’s early history (by liberation and old guard historians alike) the economic action was always in the north. Copper, Iron ore, ivory, gold – and people – underpinned a thriving regional and global trading system – through the Swahili coast to Arabia, Persia, India and Indonesia.
For 400 years (1275 – 1700) Thulamela was a major player (together with Great Zimbabwe and Mapungubwe) in this thriving global economy, ‘its throbbing heart, its Clapham Junction’ so evocatively described by Peter Delius.
Just back from a breathtaking, in situ history lesson with Professor Delius on Thulamela, as part of the development of our guide narrative for this magnificent Origin Safaris archaeological site.
