The chronology, craft production and economy of the Butua capital of Khami, southwestern Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper explores the material culture of Khami, the precolonial capital of the Butua kingdom in southwestern Zimbabwe, with a view to understanding its chronology, as well as patterns of production and distribution based on the objects recovered from walled and non-walled areas of the site. The recovery of production debris in multiple contexts across the site suggests that household-based production was a feature of households across Khami. Material culture items recovered suggest that, alongside animal husbandry, pottery making, agriculture, metal working and ivory working were important components of its economy. The recovery of local and exotic objects points to Khami’s participation in both local and regional economies. New radiocarbon dates suggest that Khami was an important centre from the late fourteenth century onwards. This makes it a major political and economic power earlier than has been previously acknowledged.