3rd century – 5th century
Batoka Highlands and southern Zambia
The Kalundu group comprised Early Iron Age sites centered on the Batoka Highlands of southern Zambia. Its earliest levels, dated to around the fourth century, contained thick, coarse grooved pottery distinct from later Kalomo wares. Associated finds included cattle and small-stock bones, iron arrowheads, copper fragments, and cowrie shells, indicating both herding and early participation in long-distance exchange networks.
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The Story
The Kalundu group was centered on the Batoka Highlands in the higher part of southern Zambia. At the Kalundu mound in the Kalomo district, an Early Iron Age horizon at the base of the mound passed into a later occupation. The lowest levels contained grooved pottery that was clearly different from the later Kalomo type, and these early deposits were interpreted as the remains of a separate village.
The earliest horizons were dated to around the fourth century. Their pottery was thicker and coarser than the later wares and was recovered in substantial quantities from storage pits. Related pottery occurred as far north as Gundu near Batoka, where it was dated to around the fifth century, and at Kabondo, roughly twenty-five kilometres north of Livingstone, marking the southern limit described for the group.
Kalundu and Gundu levels contained bones of cattle and small stock, together with iron arrowheads. Copper fragments and three cowrie shells point to early contact with long-distance bartering networks. The group therefore combines evidence for local food production and herding with participation in wider exchange systems across southern Central Africa.
3rd century – 5th century
Batoka Highlands and southern Zambia
The Kalundu group comprised Early Iron Age sites centered on the Batoka Highlands of southern Zambia. Its earliest levels, dated to around the fourth century, contained thick, coarse grooved pottery distinct from later Kalomo wares. Associated finds included cattle and small-stock bones, iron arrowheads, copper fragments, and cowrie shells, indicating both herding and early participation in long-distance exchange networks.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Kalundu group was centered on the Batoka Highlands in the higher part of southern Zambia. At the Kalundu mound in the Kalomo district, an Early Iron Age horizon at the base of the mound passed into a later occupation. The lowest levels contained grooved pottery that was clearly different from the later Kalomo type, and these early deposits were interpreted as the remains of a separate village.
The earliest horizons were dated to around the fourth century. Their pottery was thicker and coarser than the later wares and was recovered in substantial quantities from storage pits. Related pottery occurred as far north as Gundu near Batoka, where it was dated to around the fifth century, and at Kabondo, roughly twenty-five kilometres north of Livingstone, marking the southern limit described for the group.
Kalundu and Gundu levels contained bones of cattle and small stock, together with iron arrowheads. Copper fragments and three cowrie shells point to early contact with long-distance bartering networks. The group therefore combines evidence for local food production and herding with participation in wider exchange systems across southern Central Africa.
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