Kingdom of Mapungubwe

Kingdom of Mapungubwe was a state in Zambezi and Zimbabwe Plateau (Central and Southern Africa) that lasted from c. 1075 to 1220 CE, about 145 years. Its people spoke Bantu languages (Kongo, Shona, Zulu, Swahili, Luba, Ganda).

The first known kingdom in southern Africa, on the Limpopo, whose rulers lived on a hilltop above commoners and were buried with gold objects such as the golden rhinoceros. It traded ivory and gold to the coast.

See Kingdom of Mapungubwe on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1075 to 1220 CE
Duration: 145 years
Type: State
Region: Zambezi and Zimbabwe Plateau, Central and Southern Africa
Language family: Bantu
Capital: Mapungubwe Hill

Became

Kingdom of Zimbabwe c. 1220 to 1450 CE

Neighbours in Central and Southern Africa

Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE
Kingdom of Zimbabwe c. 1220 to 1450 CE
Kilwa Sultanate c. 957 to 1513 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East
Chola Empire 848 to 1279 CE, South Asia
Kievan Rus 882 to 1240 CE, Europe

Questions

When did Kingdom of Mapungubwe exist?

c. 1075 to 1220 CE, about 145 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Kingdom of Mapungubwe?

Zambezi and Zimbabwe Plateau, in Central and Southern Africa. Its capital was Mapungubwe Hill.

What language did Kingdom of Mapungubwe speak?

Bantu. This family includes Kongo, Shona, Zulu, Swahili, Luba, Ganda.

What came after Kingdom of Mapungubwe?

Kingdom of Zimbabwe.