Ancient Mining in Rhodesia and adjacent areas

Ancient Mining in Rhodesia and adjacent areas

By Summers, 

Published by The Trustees of the National Museums of Rhodesia, 1969

Museum Memoir number 3

first edition, hard cover, with a view spots and boards with some wear, otherwise in good condition, some photos and maps, and pocket at rear with fold-out map,

This book summarizes ancient mining activities in Rhodesia and adjacent areas from around 2000 years ago to the 19th century. It discusses the earliest evidence of iron smelting around 200 AD, and suggests copper mining began on a small scale around the same time, with internal copper trading starting later. Gold collecting from eluvial deposits along reef edges is believed to have begun around 600 AD, likely spurred by declining gold sources in India. Over time, Indian prospectors explored further afield for new gold sources, eventually discovering occurrences in southeast Africa. Common ancient mining practices are hypothesized based on existing evidence, though significant uncertainties remain. Major mining areas discussed include the Umniati Basin, Sinoia area, and Mazoe Basin