Definition: The site of Toutswemogala is a large permanent settlement of the Toutswe Tradition located in the Limpopo River valley of eastern Botswana. It is located on the top of a hill, and was occupied for perhaps as long as 300 years between about AD 1000 and 1300.
According to archaeologist James Denbow, the name Toutswemogala means is a compound word meaning "elephant" referring to the shape of a rock formation on the western end of the hill, and "ropes" referring to a tradition that an ancient chief once tied a rope on the hill in order to pull it away for his own.
Toutswemogala has a huge midden, a series of stratified house deposits, and stone enclosures. Evidence for trade relations has been found in the recovery of glass beads and cowry shells. Excavations have been conducted at Toutswemogala by L. Lepionka, Alec Campbell, and James Denbow.
According to archaeologist James Denbow, the name Toutswemogala means is a compound word meaning "elephant" referring to the shape of a rock formation on the western end of the hill, and "ropes" referring to a tradition that an ancient chief once tied a rope on the hill in order to pull it away for his own.
Toutswemogala has a huge midden, a series of stratified house deposits, and stone enclosures. Evidence for trade relations has been found in the recovery of glass beads and cowry shells. Excavations have been conducted at Toutswemogala by L. Lepionka, Alec Campbell, and James Denbow.
Sources
Denbow, James R. and Edwin N. Wilmsen 1986 Advent and Course of Pastoralism in the Kalahari. Science 234:1509-1515.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
Also Known As: Toutswe
Alternate Spellings: Toutswe-Mogala
