December 1991
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The South African Archaeological Bulletin
Gold was an important commodity at the time of the Zimbabwe and its successor states, both as an export item and as a status symbol. Although numerous gold burials were discovered at zimbabwe ruins at the turn of the century, none were properly excavated, and consequently little is known of funerary practice at these times. A gold burial excavated at Castle Kopje in Mashonaland recently can be linked with the Zimbabwe state and, by reference to more recent Shona customs, this provides us with a preliminary insight into burial modes and symbolism during this period.