Ntshekane: an Early Iron Age site in the Tugela Basin, Natal

Abstract

This paper reports on the Early Iron Age site of Ntshekane, near Muden, which was excavated in 1973. Particular attention is given to the description and illustration of the pottery as this is the first sample of its kind. A few vessels are of the type described by Schofield as NC3. However, the bulk of the material, while related, appears to be a later development; it is dated to the ninth century A.D. All the pottery is of Early Iron Age typology and it is suggested that the term NC3, which is misleading, should be replaced by Natal Early Iron Age, to embrace the Ntshekane material as well.

The faunal remains show that domestic stock - cattle, sheep and possibly goats - supplied the bulk of the meat diet. Hunting was also of some importance, for a considerable range of antelope and other wild animals were taken. Domestic dogs were probably present.

To cite this article: Maggs, T. & Michael, M. A. 1976. Ntshekane: an Early Iron Age site in the Tugela Basin, Natal. Annals of the Natal Museum 22 (3): 705-40.