Investigating Cattle Procurement at Great Zimbabwe Using 87Sr/86Sr

A groundbreaking analysis of strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) in cattle tooth enamel reveals that the majority of livestock at Great Zimbabwe were raised 40–120 km south of the site, debunking earlier theories of transhumance. Modern plant data from southern Zimbabwe shows significant variation in strontium ratios across geological substrates, providing a baseline for tracing cattle origins. Serial sampling of tooth enamel indicates that most animals spent their first year in this southern region before potentially being transported to Great Zimbabwe. Few cattle originated from the site's own substrate, and none from areas underlain by basalt (>120 km south). These findings challenge long-held assumptions about livestock procurement and herding practices, offering new insights into the economic networks that sustained Great Zimbabwe as a powerful ancient Shona center (1200–1700 CE).

House, M., Sealy, J., Chirikure, S., & le Roux, P. (2021). Investigating Cattle Procurement at Great Zimbabwe Using 87Sr/86Sr. Journal of African Archaeology, 19(2), 146–158. https://doi.org/10.1163/21915784-20210008