Sociopolitical status of Leokwe people in the Shashe-Limpopo basin during the Middle Iron Age through faunal analysis
Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Abstract: A faunal analysis was conducted in order to clarify the social-political status of Leokwe \npeople during the Middle Iron Age in the Shashe-Limpopo Valley. Both Calabrese and \nHuffman have contributed to this topic; however, they have opposing views concerning \nthe status of Leokwe people. My main purpose is to establish whether Leokwe people \nheld a subordinate position to K2 people before K2 rose to power, as argued by Huffman \nor whether their interactions were more complicated at the beginning of the K2 period, \nas argued by Calabrese. The study will contribute to the understanding of status \nrelationships within the Leokwe culture and will further provide information on their \nsocial dynamics and interactions. Faunal remains form the main research component and \nthe faunal analysis results have been achieved by studying these remains. Faunal \nremains were used as both Calabrese and Huffman have a faunal component to their \narguments. Both patterns, if present, should be visible within the faunal remains at a \nsettlement. Three types of faunal analysis were used in order to identify these patterns: \n(1) status elements of cattle, (2) small versus large stock through NISP and MNI, and (3) \nfragmentation, through measurement and comparison of fragment lengths at multiple \narchaeological sites. Statistical analysis was also conducted. The first method (status \nelements) refers to the presence of both high and low status parts of a carcass. In terms \nof the bones associated with the high/low status parts, status may be indicated by the \npresence or absence of specific bones. High status elements refer specifically to the limb \nbones (the humerus, ulna, radius, femur, fibula and tibia). Low status elements, those \nmeant to be associated with the herdsmen are the lower leg/foot bones such as the \ncarpals, metacarpals, tarsals, metatarsals and the phalanges. In total the faunal remains \nfrom ten sites were analysed. A large sample of K2 faunal remains formed the baseline \nto which the rest of the sites were compared. Two of the sites were especially important, \nLeokwe Hill and Castle Rock, as Huffman’s interpretation differs from Calabrese’s for \nboth of these sites. Ultimately, four Bov III faunal distribution patterns were identified \nduring analysis, an Above-Average/ High Status Pattern, a Below-Average/ Herdsmen \nPattern, an Average Pattern and a Borderline Pattern. The High Status Pattern is \nidentified by an over abundance of certain status elements, specifically the fore and \nhind-quarters, while the Herdsmen Pattern is characterised by an over abundance of \nlower leg/ foot bones. Statistical analysis proved all four faunal distribution patterns to \nbe significant. However, as a result of the statistical analysis, the Borderline Pattern \nbecame the pattern most often identified within the samples. The Herdsmen Pattern was \nonly identified at four sites. Due to the nature and location of the settlements that had the \nHerdsmen Pattern, it may be stated that this pattern is linked with low status people and \nnot necessarily Leokwe people specifically
Author: Kerry Fatherley
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W87842531