Tsodilo, Archaeological site in Kalahari Desert, Botswana
Tsodilo features four granite hills rising from the Kalahari Desert, containing more than 4,500 rock paintings that document early human settlements and artistic traditions. These paintings span different periods and show how people and their surroundings changed over time.
Archaeological evidence from Divuyu and Nqoma sites shows Early Iron Age settlements with advanced metalworking for copper and iron tools. These settlements indicate sustained contact and cultural exchange with communities further south.
The San people view these hills as sacred spaces where ancestral spirits dwell, a belief that continues to shape how they relate to the land today. This spiritual connection influences how visitors encounter the site as a living place of meaning.
Visitors explore the paintings along marked trails and through guided tours that help navigate the different art sites across the hills. A campsite at the base offers basic accommodations and supplies for those staying multiple days.
The White Paintings Rock Shelter displays images of horseback riders and domestic animals that reflect different time periods at the site. These images reveal how artistic styles and subjects evolved as new influences arrived in the region.
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