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Kingdom of Mapungubwe Fact-Matching Game

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Summoning Knowledge...

About This Challenge

The Kingdom of Mapungubwe was a powerful ancient civilization that thrived in southern Africa. Explore this fascinating kingdom through a fact-matching game that will challenge your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

  • Uncover the secrets of Mapungubwe’s intricate social structure
  • Discover the advanced trade routes that connected the kingdom to distant lands
  • Use spells to unlock hints and gain extra time as you piece together important information fragments

Game Details: a fact-matching game where you piece together important information fragments. Use spells for hints and extra time!

Need a Hint? View the Facts
  • The Kingdom of Mapungubwe was a pre-colonial state in Southern Africa, located near the present-day borders of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
  • Mapungubwe was a thriving trade center, with connections to the Indian Ocean trade networks.
  • The kingdom was founded in the 11th century and reached its peak in the 13th century.
  • Mapungubwe was a hierarchical society with a ruling elite living on the hilltop while commoners lived in the surrounding valleys.
  • The kingdom was known for its impressive stone walls and structures, including a palace and a Great Enclosure.
  • Mapungubwe was a center of gold production, with gold artifacts found in archaeological excavations.
  • The kingdom's decline was likely due to environmental factors such as drought and overpopulation.
  • Mapungubwe was eventually abandoned in the 14th century, with its inhabitants likely moving to nearby areas such as Great Zimbabwe.
  • The kingdom's artifacts and ruins were rediscovered in the 1930s, leading to increased interest in the site.
  • Mapungubwe was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, recognizing its cultural significance.
  • The kingdom's economy was based on agriculture, mining, and trade with neighboring regions.
  • Mapungubwe's society was stratified, with a ruling class, commoners, and possibly slaves.
  • The kingdom was known for its sophisticated pottery, iron smelting, and gold work.
  • Mapungubwe had a complex political structure, with a king or chief at the top of the hierarchy.
  • The kingdom's population is estimated to have been around 5,000 people at its peak.
  • Mapungubwe's artifacts include gold jewelry, beads, and figurines, indicating a rich artistic tradition.
  • The kingdom's decline is thought to have been influenced by the rise of the neighboring kingdom of Great Zimbabwe.
  • Mapungubwe's society was likely matrilineal, with descent traced through the female line.
  • The kingdom's inhabitants were skilled farmers, growing crops such as sorghum, millet, and beans.
  • Mapungubwe's artifacts show influences from various cultures, including those from the Indian Ocean trade networks.

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