THE FAUNA AT TORA NJU, BOTSWANA RITUAL AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS

• Published in: South African archaeological bulletin Vol. 73; no. 207; pp. 41 - 50
• Main Authors: WILMSEN, EDWIN N., DENBOW, JAMES R., PLUG, INA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cape Town, South Africa The South African Archaeological Society and the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists 01-06-2018; South African Archaeological Society
• Subjects: Animal welfare; Antiquities; Archaeology; Hunting; Iron age; Research Article; Social aspects
• ISSN: 0038-1969; 2224-4654

The Tora Nju site in Botswana has a small Khami Level-3 stone-walled structure, a moderate midden area, and several small hut and grain-bin mounds. Sampling excavations were carried out in all these areas by Denbow and Wilmsen, recovering 1780 faunal specimens. Plug identified 197 (11%) of these to taxa. The inventory is overwhelmingly dominated by cattle (Bos taurus) with 65% (n = 128) of all identified specimens and 93% of identified domesticates. Remains of other domesticates are fewer, with 4% (n = 5) sheep/goats (Ovis/Capra) and 3% (n = 4) chickens (Gallus domesticus). Domesticates account for 70% of the entire inventory which compares favourably with the Hill midden at the Khami site. Tora Nju fauna are compared with other Khami sites in eastern Botswana, Selolwe and Vumba, and the contemporary Lose phase at Bosutswe. Probable cattle management strategies are considered, while ritual and regional implications of the faunal assemblage are suggested.