3rd century – 11th century
Borderlands of Zambia and Tanzania, near the southern end of Lake Tanganyika
Kalambo Falls was a major Early Iron Age settlement complex in the Lake Tanganyika basin. Excavations revealed thick occupation layers, pottery, iron slag, and remains of pole-and-mud villages. The settlement was occupied from approximately the fourth to the eleventh century and provides evidence for iron-working, cereal cultivation, and regional connections in the northern Zambian Early Iron Age.
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The Story
Kalambo Falls lies near the southern extremity of Lake Tanganyika, on the borderlands of Zambia and Tanzania. The site became one of the principal archaeological references for the Early Iron Age in northern Zambia because its deposits preserved repeated occupation within the lake basin. The settlement evidence includes numerous potsherds, iron slag, and remains of pole-and-mud huts representing several villages.
The occupation has been dated from about the fourth century until approximately the eleventh century. Its pottery includes grooved and incised sherds, bevelled rims, and rare vessels with dimple bases comparable to East African examples. The combination of local characteristics and similarities with East African wares makes Kalambo Falls central to the study of connections between eastern and central African Iron Age traditions.
Iron-working was abundant at the site, while copper objects were rare despite the proximity of Katanga deposits. Cattle do not appear to have been kept, but grindstones suggest that cereals were cultivated. Similar sherds occurred at other sites around Lake Tanganyika and in Late Stone Age cave contexts, where they may reflect trade or sporadic contact between hunter-gatherers and neighbouring farming communities.
3rd century – 11th century
Borderlands of Zambia and Tanzania, near the southern end of Lake Tanganyika
Kalambo Falls was a major Early Iron Age settlement complex in the Lake Tanganyika basin. Excavations revealed thick occupation layers, pottery, iron slag, and remains of pole-and-mud villages. The settlement was occupied from approximately the fourth to the eleventh century and provides evidence for iron-working, cereal cultivation, and regional connections in the northern Zambian Early Iron Age.
Continue exploring
The Story
Kalambo Falls lies near the southern extremity of Lake Tanganyika, on the borderlands of Zambia and Tanzania. The site became one of the principal archaeological references for the Early Iron Age in northern Zambia because its deposits preserved repeated occupation within the lake basin. The settlement evidence includes numerous potsherds, iron slag, and remains of pole-and-mud huts representing several villages.
The occupation has been dated from about the fourth century until approximately the eleventh century. Its pottery includes grooved and incised sherds, bevelled rims, and rare vessels with dimple bases comparable to East African examples. The combination of local characteristics and similarities with East African wares makes Kalambo Falls central to the study of connections between eastern and central African Iron Age traditions.
Iron-working was abundant at the site, while copper objects were rare despite the proximity of Katanga deposits. Cattle do not appear to have been kept, but grindstones suggest that cereals were cultivated. Similar sherds occurred at other sites around Lake Tanganyika and in Late Stone Age cave contexts, where they may reflect trade or sporadic contact between hunter-gatherers and neighbouring farming communities.
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