Over a thousand years ago, between AD 900 and 1300, the Shashe-Limpopo basin witnessed the development of one of the earliest African civilizations. Like civilizations everywhere, it represented complex social organizations, supported by intensive agriculture and long-distance trade. Some of the earliest finished gold objects found in the interior of Southern Africa were excavated here, most notably the now world-famous golden rhino. Mapungubwe was the forerunner of the famous town of Great Zimbabwe. Because of this cultural connection to Great Zimbabwe and then the Venda, it is possible to use historical and traditional evidence to understand the evolution of Mapungubwe. This generously illustrated book, written especially for visitors to the site, tells the thousand-year-old story of the people, wildlife, and topography of the area.