Mapungubwe, a UNESCO World Heritage site in South Africa, was a thriving Iron Age kingdom from the 11th to 13th centuries, known for its advanced gold-working techniques and extensive trade networks across southern Africa and beyond. Archaeological discoveries, including a famous golden rhinoceros figurine, highlight its cultural and economic significance as one of the region’s earliest complex societies. The site’s hilltop ruins and artifacts offer valuable insights into precolonial African history and its sophisticated social structures. Today, it stands as a testament to the continent’s rich heritage and ingenuity.

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