Human Responses to Climate Change in the Second Millennium AD-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Human Responses to Climate Change in the Second Millennium AD

Published:2023-06-22 Issue:4 Volume:15 Page:414-441
ISSN:0974-4053
Container-title:Africa Review
language:
Short-container-title:Afr. Rev.

Author:

Chimwanda Acquiline¹

Affiliation:

1. University of Pretoria Department of Anthropology and Archaeology Pretoria South Africa

Abstract

Abstract The history of past civilisations in southern Africa from AD 700 to AD 1450 has engendered unresolved debates on the social complexities and ultimate decline of these powerful states. The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of the Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe state systems in southern Africa through an environmental perspective by taking into consideration human responses to persistent droughts and dry spells. The theories underpinning this study are derived from contemporary societal responses to similar environmental hardships in the Bikita and Chivi districts of southern Zimbabwe. Using rainfall data, and interviews with chiefs, villagers, farmers and experts, this study notes that the occurrence of droughts and dry-spell experiences interfere with sociopolitical organisation. The concepts of sustainability, resilience and transformation are used to explain what could have transpired in societies in southern Africa in the second millennium AD in the face of persistent droughts and dry spells.

Publisher

Brill

Subject

Political Science and International Relations,Development,History

Link

https://brill.com/downloadpdf/journals/bafr/15/4/article-p414_3.xml

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