Archaeology, Heritage and Landscape Formation

Limpopo National Park, Mozambique

Abstract

This study aims to develop a heritage management methodology and guide for Limpopo National Park (PNL) in Mozambique, based on archaeological and heritage surveys conducted between 2006 and 2018. We discuss the integrity and methodology associated with the various site categories. The surveys provide insight into the formation of the landscape, offering clues about the ancient drainage of the Limpopo River. Lithic scatters are found on open-air sites dating from the Early Stone Age to the 2^nd millennium AD. In general, sites have been revisited over very long periods, and chronology is complex due to continuous deflation of surfaces. Although small cores are evident, diagnostic Late Stone Age material is rare in PNL. Meanwhile, ceramic bearing sites with Early Farming Community tradition styles are found along the Limpopo River from the mid-1^st millennium AD, some of which have stratigraphic integrity. In the final section of the paper, we provide a map of historical sites and ceremonial locations and recommend their inclusion in heritage assessments as a standard procedure.