Discover The Mysteries Of The Ancient Kingdom On The Hill
Drum English|September 28, 2017

Mapungubwe National Park, set in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, is renowned as the centre of southern Africa’s first indigenous kingdom

Discover The Mysteries Of The Ancient Kingdom On The Hill

DRIVE through the gates of Mapungubwe National Park on the border of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana past a welcome party of wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, wilde­ beest, zebras and monkeys – all against the stark landscape of massive baobab trees.

These iconic trees are also known as "upside­down" trees because their branches resemble roots reaching for the sky. They grow enormous in size – the largest tree can fit up to 40 people inside its trunk because as these trees age and die off, their trunks become hollow. Carbon dating – a method used to determine the age of an object, for example, a tree – has shown that baobab trees can live up to 3 000 years old!

Mapungubwe National Park is home to a famous archaeological site atop Mapun­ gubwe Hill. In 1932 four men paid a local to take them to a kingdom that would become one of the most important Iron Age sites in Southern Africa. It’s on this hill that a small gold rhino was found inside what is thought to be a royal’s grave – proof of sophisticated gold artefacts in African cultures as far back as a thousand years ago.

The museum and interpretive centre inside the park tell the whole story, with exhibitions of artefacts found on the hill. Visitors can take a short walk to a lookout point with breath­taking views of the famous site.

Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin September 28, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin September 28, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

DRUM ENGLISH DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Homegrown Heroes
Drum English

Homegrown Heroes

Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
The Big Clean Up
Drum English

The Big Clean Up

Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
I'm Back & Better!
Drum English

I'm Back & Better!

Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
Not An Easy Ride
Drum English

Not An Easy Ride

Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules

time-read
5 dak  |
16 July 2020
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Drum English

Mam' Mary Bows Out

Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent

time-read
6 dak  |
16 July 2020
‘They Lived For Each Other'
Drum English

‘They Lived For Each Other'

This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too

time-read
6 dak  |
9 July 2020
Stranger Than Fiction
Drum English

Stranger Than Fiction

For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
I Was Raped By A Pastor
Drum English

I Was Raped By A Pastor

His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out

time-read
5 dak  |
16 July 2020
My Fight With Life And Death
Drum English

My Fight With Life And Death

More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience

time-read
6 dak  |
16 July 2020
I AM ENOUGH
Drum English

I AM ENOUGH

Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020