Research Items

Abstract

Dating by Beads at Zimbabwe. A study of beads in Africa south of the Zambezi by Mr. P. W. Laidler (Proc. Rhodesia Sci. Assoc., 34, pt. 1) aims at a classification of beads, ancient and modern, now or formerly in use among the natives. They are divided into ten classes, which are examined in relation, according to chronological considerations, with the stone structure culture of Rhodesia, thus incidentally raising the question of the tenability of Miss G. Caton-Thompson's dating of the Zimbabwe and associated cultures upon the basis of this class of evidence. Viewing the historical evidence, it would appear that no finds have been made which point to contact between South Africa and early Egypt. The Arabs landed trade beads on the East African coast previously to A.D. 1400; but it is impossible to say how much earlier, though Al Masoudi suggests that it was not long before A.D. 900. Before A.D. 1500, sites will show Indian beads only; after that date, European beads appear in increasing proportion. The Rhodesian excavations show three groups, of which Group I is judged to be pre-Zimbabwe; but there is little or nothing to distinguish it from Group II, which was regarded by Miss Caton-Thompson as belonging to a later occupation. Group I, showing beads with Indian affinities, was regarded by her as a “foundation deposit”, pointing to an eighth or ninth century date for the Zimbabwe type of building. This ignores in this assemblage of beads one example which is probably of late origin and does not fit in with the historical record. It is more probable that it is a ‘pre-Zimbabwe’ deposit. Miss Caton-Thompson's dating leaves Class II of the second occupation period with an intervening gap of six hundred years; whereas there is evidence to show that there is continuity of importation as between Class I and II. If Group I is, in fact, related to a pre-Zimbabwe culture, it is probable that the foundation date is much later than is suggested by Miss Caton-Thompson.