(Nthabazingwe]. site near Khami, southwestern Zimbabwe. The name was formerly given to the greater part of the local Iron Age sequence, which was believed to reflect a process of internal development. However, recent research has shown that this sequence, like those in neighbouring areas, includes successive Early Iron Age and later Iron Age elements, and the designation Leopard’s Kopje is now restricted to the later Iron Age industry which developed in about the 11th century ad. At the name-site large circular houses were excavated. The mixed-farming economy was based upon the cultivation of finger millet, sorghum, ground beans and cowpeas, while cattle were herded in large numbers along with some sheep and goats. During later phases, from about the 14th century, gold mining and building in stone are attested.
The Macmillan dictionary of archaeology, Ruth D. Whitehouse, 1983Copied