MNP 06
MNP 06 is situated at the southern end of the Motlhabatsi drainage basin, positioned at the foot of the northern slope of the surrounding mountain range in Marakele National Park. The site lies within dense vegetation to the east of a non-perennial stream. The placement near the stream suggests that access to seasonal water was an important consideration for the site’s inhabitants. The site comprises a few stone wall enclosures distributed across a localised area.
The local environment is defined by thick bushveld vegetation, including shrubs, grasses, and scattered trees typical of a riparian and foothill zone. The combination of dense vegetation and proximity to a drainage line indicates a relatively sheltered and resource-rich setting. The foothill position provides moderate slopes and natural protection from wind exposure, while the nearby stream would have supported both domestic and agricultural activities during wetter seasons.
The geology of the area consists predominantly of weathered granite and metamorphic rock formations that produce coarse, sandy soils interspersed with gravel and stone outcrops. These materials were likely used in constructing the stone wall enclosures, which appear to be built from locally available unworked stone. The geological stability of the foothill zone would have provided a solid foundation for settlement construction, while the availability of stone and clay would have supported both building and daily subsistence activities.
MNP 06 represents a typical Iron Age stone walled settlement situated within a well-resourced and strategically positioned area. The site’s location near a seasonal water source, within a fertile basin and at the base of a mountain slope, suggests it was chosen for its environmental advantages. The stone wall enclosures likely functioned as domestic areas, livestock pens, and storage spaces, reflecting an organised agropastoral lifestyle. MNP 06 contributes valuable information to the understanding of settlement distribution, land-use strategies, and social organisation of Iron Age communities within the Motlhabatsi drainage basin and the broader Matlabas Valley region. This site was also occupied by Batswana people.