Palaces of Stone (Paperback)

Mike Main

ISBN 10: 1775846148 / ISBN 13: 9781775846147

Published by Penguin Random House South Africa, Cape Town, 2021

About this Item

Paperback. Across the face of southern Africa are more than 460 remarkable stone palaces, once the abodes of kings. Some are small, others ramble, but many are absolutely astonishing: all are the legacy of kingdoms past.Palaces of Stone brings to life the story of these early African societies, from AD 900 to approximately 1850. Some, such as Great Zimbabwe and Khami in Zimbabwe and Mapungubwe in South Africa, are famous world heritage sites, but the majority are unknown to the general public, unsung and unappreciated. Yet, the stone ruins that have survived tell a common story of innovative architecture and intricate stonework; flourishing local economies; long-distance travel; global trade; and emerging forms of political organisation.By exploring a selection of known and unknown sites, Palaces of Stone reimagines the apparently empty spaces bequeathed to us by history, an Africa of places that once hummed with life. All that remains now are the ruins - a bedrock from which to unravel the past and understand the present. Across southern Africa are more than 460 remarkable stone palaces. These include the more famous world heritage sites of Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins and Mapungubwe, but many are as yet unknown. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781775846147

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Palaces of Stone (Paperback)
• Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa, Cape Town
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1775846148
• ISBN 13: 9781775846147
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Across the face of southern Africa are more than 460 remarkable stone palaces, once the abodes of kings. Some are small, others ramble, but many are absolutely astonishing: all are the legacy of kingdoms past.

Palaces of Stone brings to life the story of these early African societies, from AD 900 to approximately 1850. Some, such as Great Zimbabwe and Khami in Zimbabwe and Mapungubwe in South Africa, are famous world heritage sites, but the majority are unknown to the general public, unsung and unappreciated. Yet, the stone ruins that have survived tell a common story of innovative architecture and intricate stonework; flourishing local economies; long-distance travel; global trade; and emerging forms of political organisation.

By exploring a selection of known and unknown sites, Palaces of Stone reimagines the apparently empty spaces bequeathed to us by history, an Africa of places that once hummed with life. All that remains now are the ruins – a bedrock from which to unravel the past and understand the present.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Early beginnings at Schroda
2. From K2 to Mapungubwe
3. Rainmaking
4. The End of Mapungubwe
5. Great Zimbabwe in Modern Times
6. The Growth of Great Zimbabwe
7. Symbolism
8. Administration and Trade in the Zimbabwe Culture
9. The Khami, Danangombe and Mutapa States
10. The End of an Era
Epilogue

About the Author

Thomas N. Huffman is Professor Emeritus of archaeology in association with the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He specialises in pre-colonial farming societies in southern Africa and has written and contributed to a wide range of publications, including the highly acclaimed books, Snakes & Crocodiles: Power and Symbolism in Ancient Zimbabwe and Handbook to the Iron Age: The Archaeology of Pre-colonial Farming Societies in Southern Africa.