Date: Thursday, 6 June 2019  Time: 19:30

Venue: The auditorium, Roedean School,

35 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg

Charge: Members: free Non-members: R30

Schroda, a Zhizo/Leokwe settlement in the Limpopo Valley, is well known among archaeologists who study the rise of complex societies in southern Africa. Previous research placed the site at the centre of early East Coast trade networks with the southern African interior, elevating the site to economic and socio-political dominance in the region during the 10th century. At around 1000 AD Schroda’s influence declines due to a shift in regional socio-political dynamics linked to the establishment of K2. This lecture presents an overview of recent research on the daily lives of the Schroda inhabitants during this regional development, with particular emphasis on aspects related to foodways. Through an integrated analysis of faunal and botanical remains, ceramics, worked bone and stone, Dr Antonites considers the continuities and changes in foodways at Schroda and explores the possible reasons behind this.

Dr Annie Antonites is a University of Pretoria alumna and received her PhD degree in 2014 from Yale University in the USA. Dr Antonites has 15 years’ experience in archaeological and anthropological research and is involved in several local and international projects.