Abstract:
Mutokolwe is located in the northern part of South Africa. The site was occupied by Venda-speaking
farmers during the Late Iron Age. One of the most unusual aspects from this faunal assemblage is the
presence of complete metapodia of cattle and sheep. No other faunal assemblage from farming sites in
southern Africa contains as many complete specimens, including long bones, as that from Mutokolwe.
Skeletal completeness is one of the signatures which signal feasting activities from the archaeological
record. Feasting has been recognised in different parts of the world, including Africa. Based on ethnographic
accounts, feasting was also common amongst Bantu-speaking farmers of southern Africa, and
in particular, Venda-speakers. Taking into account limitations posed by archaeological, ethnography
and early historical descriptions, we suggest that the complete long bones of livestock signal feasting
activities at Mutokolwe. The faunal assemblage from the site contains an unusual high percentage of
identifiable remains, indicating that it was likely subjected to biased sampling. Moreover, few wild
animals are present in the assemblage, which suggests, sampling biases aside, that domestic animals
were favoured in feasts possibly due to their association with people and ancestors.
