Explore the Sites of Cultural Heritages at Kruger National Park
By JAGAT [30/May/2024] : The renowned Kruger National Park delivers a wildlife experience among the best in Africa. As the flagship of South African National Parks, this vast and magnificent park is one of the world's most popular public-entry game reserves. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, Kruger boasts unmatched biodiversity and leads the world in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. It is home to an impressive array of species, including 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals. The Greater Kruger Park provides an exclusive selection of high-end game lodges, safaris, activities, and tours, guaranteeing an exceptional wildlife adventure.
Kruger National Park boasts a unique cultural and historical landscape, featuring over 255 recorded archaeological sites that span from the early Stone Age (approximately 1 million years ago) to various Iron Age settlements and more recent historical buildings and sites. Many of these locations are of significant cultural and spiritual importance, while others provide a fascinating and romantic glimpse into the area's past. Preserving these sites is crucial due to their cultural, spiritual, and historical significance. As national stewards of this region, we are legally obligated to protect and conserve these valuable sites.
Here are the three most popular cultural and historical spots that you must visit at least once:
Masorini Heritage Site - When the restoration of the village of Masorini was initiated in 1973, the site consisted of only a few stone walls, grinding stones, potsherds, remnants of 19th-century foundries, and some Stone Age tools. Excavations eventually uncovered hut floors and other artifacts, shedding light on the inhabitants' lifestyle, the types of huts they used, their ironworking foundries, and the nature of their commerce and social activities. Unlike the ancient site of Thulamela, Masorini is relatively recent. Research indicates that the village was occupied by the baPhalaborwa clan, who thrived by manufacturing and trading iron artefacts during the Stone Age. Picturesque Masorini Hill is located about 11 kilometres from the Phalaborwa entrance gate, on the road to Letaba rest camp. This village exemplifies a specialized economy and advanced technology that predated European colonization in South Africa. It also offers visitors insights into the hunter-gatherer society of the Stone Age, showcasing how they uniquely integrated into and utilized their natural environment.
Thulamela - Thulamela, a stone-walled site in the Far North region of Kruger National Park, dates back approximately 450 to 500 years. This late Iron Age site is part of the Zimbabwe culture, which is believed to have originated at Mapungubwe. As Mapungubwe declined, Great Zimbabwe rose in prominence. When Great Zimbabwe was abandoned about 300 years later, likely due to political instability, several groups migrated south across the Limpopo River into northeastern South Africa, including the northern Kruger area, establishing smaller chiefdoms like Thulamela.
In 1990, an archaeological research team discovered the first evidence of prehistoric habitation in the far northern part of Kruger National Park. The team carried out initial excavations and recorded stone remains at Thulamela in the Pafuri region in order to gain further insight into the settlement. During their search, they found remains such as gold beads, charcoal, ostrich-shell beads, perforated ornamental cowrie shells, clay spindle whorls, and ivory and metal rings. Radiocarbon dating revealed that Thulamela was inhabited from the 15th to the mid-17th century.
Albasini Ruins - A cultural gem of South Africa, the remains of the 19th-century trading post established by the renowned Portuguese trader Joao Albasini can be found near the new Phabeni Gate, just 10 km from Hazyview. Known as the Albasini Ruins, this site dates back to the 1800s and marks the location of Albasini's once-thriving trading post. The post was highly successful, with well-established trade routes connecting to local farms. The Albasini Ruins are a noteworthy site to visit for anyone in the area.
