The importance of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape to the early history of southern Africa is enormous. It was here that social, cultural and political developments led to the first complex society in southern Africa. Although Mapungubwe people eventually abandoned the landscape, the new type of society continued on at Great Zimbabwe and other places in Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, as well as South Africa.

The initial developments were due to the impact of long-distance trade on the one hand and intensive agriculture on the other. Agricultural produce and trade wealth made it possible for large populations and formal social classes to develop.

Trade and agriculture also contributed to the rise of civilisations elsewhere, and so the development of complex society at Mapungubwe is of international interest. Since the development of Mapungubwe only began 1 000 years ago, we hope that present and future research will help to clarify the origins of civilisation in antiquity.

Before the 1990s, few people in South Africa had heard of Mapungubwe. Now it is an increasingly important part of the national consciousness about the African past. Indeed, one of the gold rhinos from Mapungubwe has become a national icon, symbolising past achievements. What is more, the government has established a prestigious medal known as The Order of Mapungubwe for South Africa's most distinguished citizens. Thus, the achievements of the past still have resonance today.