A research team from the University of Missouri, led by post-doctoral fellow Jay Stephens, utilized geochemical analysis to examine copper artifacts from southern Africa, revealing extensive cultural connections among various groups from the 5th to 20th centuries. Their study challenges the predominant view that southern Africa’s archaeological record was predominantly influenced by Indian Ocean imports, highlighting instead the interconnectedness of local communities. Previous debates about the origins of unique copper ingots have been clarified; analyses showed that some artifacts were crafted from ore sourced from both the Copperbelt and Zimbabwe’s Magondi Belt. The study involved collecting and analyzing samples from 33 copper ingots, preserving museum displays while ensuring community access to findings. This scientific work is crucial, as many archaeological sites have been lost due to mining activities. The research aims to reconstruct precolonial histories and establish connections between various traditions across modern-day Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The findings, recently published in PLOS ONE, underscore the intricate trade and technological exchanges among ancient communities. Future research is planned to explore copper sources in South Africa and Malawi further, supported by a National Science Foundation grant, emphasizing the importance of archeological science at MU.
