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Economic and ideological roles of copper ingots in prehistoric Zimbabwe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Lorraine M. Swan
Lorraine M. Swan*
Affiliation:
*African and Comparative Archaeology, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Uppsala University, Box 626, 751 26 Uppsala, Sweden (Email: swans01@bigpond.net.au)
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Extract

As well as being modes of supplying metal, cross-shaped copper ingots in Zimbabwe are shown to be emblems of currency and status. The author dates them to the first half of the second millennium AD and connects the appearance of ingots to increased social stratification.

Keywords

Zimbabwemiddle agescopperingotssocial structure
Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , Volume 81 , Issue 314 , 1 December 2007 , pp. 999 - 1012
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2007

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