Human and Social Studies Traditions, History and Legacies

Demonstrate Knowledge Of Iron Age Archaeology Training

SAQA US 119869 | NQF 4 | Credits 10 | Duration 7 Days
From $1,523 per delegate

Description

This course provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of Iron Age archaeology in Southern Africa. It covers the key characteristics, cultural phases, and material culture of the Iron Age, enabling learners to interpret archaeological evidence and appreciate its significance in South African heritage.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the chronological framework and regional variations of the Iron Age in Southern Africa.
  • Identify and describe the material culture associated with Iron Age communities, including pottery, metalwork, and settlement patterns.
  • Analyze the economic and social structures of Iron Age societies based on archaeological evidence.
  • Evaluate the impact of the Iron Age on the development of later societies in the region.
  • Apply archaeological methods to interpret Iron Age sites and artifacts.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the ethical and legal frameworks governing archaeological heritage in South Africa.

Target Audience

This course is designed for heritage practitioners, museum staff, tour guides, and anyone interested in South African archaeology and pre-colonial history.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Iron Age Archaeology in Southern Africa

Objectives:
• Define Iron Age archaeology and its significance in Southern African context.
• Identify the chronological framework of the Southern African Iron Age.
• Distinguish between Early, Middle, and Late Iron Age periods.
• Recognise key archaeological sites and their contributions.

Topics:
• Overview of Iron Age archaeology
• Chronology: Early, Middle, Late Iron Age
• Geographic distribution of Iron Age sites
• Key sites: Mapungubwe, Great Zimbabwe, Thulamela
• Importance of iron technology
• Introduction to archaeological methods

Day 2: Material Culture and Technology of the Iron Age

Objectives:
• Describe iron smelting and forging techniques.
• Identify pottery styles and their chronological markers.
• Analyse trade goods and their origins.
• Explain the role of material culture in understanding social organisation.

Topics:
• Iron smelting: furnace types and processes
• Metalworking: tools and weapons
• Pottery typology and decoration
• Trade items: glass beads, copper, gold
• Imported goods and long-distance trade
• Material culture as social indicator

Day 3: Settlement Patterns and Architecture

Objectives:
• Characterise settlement types (hierarchical, dispersed).
• Describe architectural features (stone walls, huts).
• Analyse spatial organisation of homesteads.
• Relate settlement patterns to political and economic systems.

Topics:
• Settlement hierarchy: capitals, towns, villages
• Stone walling styles: dry stone, coursed
• Hut construction and layout
• Site layout: central cattle kraal, grain bins
• Defensive features and site selection
• Case studies: Mapungubwe, Great Zimbabwe

Day 4: Subsistence, Economy, and Environment

Objectives:
• Identify domesticated plants and animals of the Iron Age.
• Explain agricultural practices and their environmental impact.
• Describe hunting, gathering, and fishing strategies.
• Analyse economic systems: surplus, storage, redistribution.

Topics:
• Domesticates: cattle, sheep, goats, sorghum, millet
• Agricultural techniques: shifting cultivation, irrigation
• Wild resources: game, fish, wild plants
• Storage facilities: grain pits, pots
• Trade networks and exchange systems
• Environmental adaptation and change

Day 5: Social Organisation, Politics, and Ideology

Objectives:
• Outline social stratification in Iron Age societies.
• Describe political structures: chiefdoms, states.
• Interpret symbolic and ritual artefacts.
• Analyse burial practices as indicators of belief systems.

Topics:
• Social hierarchy: elites, commoners, specialists
• Political organisation: from chiefdom to state
• Ritual objects: figurines, divination bones
• Burial practices: grave goods, burial position
• Rock art and symbolic expression
• Case study: Mapungubwe's elite burials

Day 6: Decline, Transformation, and Contact

Objectives:
• Identify factors leading to decline of Iron Age states.
• Describe changes in settlement and economy after 1600 AD.
• Analyse impact of European contact on Iron Age societies.
• Discuss the transition to the Historical Period.

Topics:
• Climate change and resource depletion
• Political fragmentation and migration
• Rise of new polities: Rozvi, Ndebele
• European contact: trade, disruption
• Changes in material culture
• Legacy of Iron Age societies

Day 7: Practical Application and Heritage Management

Objectives:
• Apply archaeological methods to interpret Iron Age sites.
• Develop a basic site interpretation plan.
• Discuss ethical issues in heritage management.
• Outline conservation strategies for Iron Age sites.

Topics:
• Practical exercise: artefact identification and recording
• Site interpretation: visitor centres, signage
• Heritage legislation: NHRA, SAHRA
• Community involvement and indigenous knowledge
• Conservation challenges: looting, development
• Career pathways in archaeology

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
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Wed 09 Sep 2026 Thu 17 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
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On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 494 sessions across 26 venues
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Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mon 17 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,284 Register
Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mon 17 Aug 2026 Lagos, Nigeria Winter 2026 $5,173 Register
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Fri 09 Jul 2027 Mon 19 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
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Mon 03 Jan 2028 Tue 11 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Fri 28 Jan 2028 Mon 07 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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