Thulamela

Thulamela is an Iron Age archaeological site in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It lies in the northern Kruger National Park, near the Pafuri region. The site comprises multiple hilltop enclosures linked by terraces and stone walls, forming what appears to be a substantial and organized settlement.

Dating of the occupation is uncertain but is generally placed between the 13th and 16th centuries CE. Artefacts include iron smelting slag and furnaces, iron implements, pottery sherds, beads, and animal bones. The arrangement of walls and courtyards suggests social hierarchy, with domestic, ritual, and defensive functions within a defensible hilltop landscape.

The artefact assemblage and settlement pattern indicate strong metallurgical activity and a degree of urban-scale organization. The site also shows evidence of long-distance exchange networks, with imports and imported styles found alongside local wares, pointing to interactions with other communities across southern Africa.

Thulamela is considered one of the most significant Iron Age sites in the region, contributing to understanding of pre-colonial African urbanism and metallurgy. It is protected as part of Kruger National Park and is the subject of ongoing archaeological research. Access is typically provided through guided tours within the park, with interpretive material available at nearby visitor facilities.