Definition: The Toutswe Tradition is the name given to an African Iron Age cultural group in the Limpopo River valley of southern Africa from about AD 700 and 1300, in many places immediately following the Chifumbaze complex.
The sites have a definite hierarchy, with really large settlements on the tops of hills being occupied for up to 300 years, and smaller cattle camps scattered around near water sources and grazing.
Source
This glossary entry is a part of the About.com Guide to the African Iron Age, and part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
Denbow, James, et al. in press Archaeological excavations at Bosutswe, Botswana: cultural chronology, paleo-ecology and economy. Journal of Archaeological Science
Examples:
Toutswemogala, Bosutswe, Shoshong, all in Botswana
