The Territory > Botswana > Locations > Tsodilo Hills

In the flat barren landscape of the western Kalahari, the sheer quartzite cliff-faces of the four Tsodilo Hills rise majestically above the surrounding savannah.

Forming a line, the hills are referred to by the San people as "The Male", “The Female” and “The Child”, with the fourth hill unnamed. “The Male” is the largest hill which reaches a height of 410 metres above the surrounding plain; "The Female" is a smaller hill - rising 300 metres - but with an overall area of almost three times that of The Male; “The Child” is only 40 metres high and lies about 2 kilometres away from The Female. Beyond these three is a much smaller unnamed knoll. According to legend, this was the Male Hill's first wife who was discarded when he met and married the taller Female Hill.



Tsodilo is a place of special significance to the San who have been living here for thousands of years. They believe the hills are a resting place for the spirits of the deceased and that their various gods live in caverns within the Female Hill, from where they rule the world. The most sacred place is near the top of the Male Hill where the first spirit is thought to have knelt to pray after creating the world. The San believe you can still see the impression of his knees in the rock. The Harnbukushu, who also live in the area, believe the hills are where God lowered man to earth.

Archaeological studies have revealed that this area has been occupied by humans for at least 100,000 years. Paintings on the hills cover 9 square kilometres of rock in a 22 square kilometre area. The fact that Tsodilo is totally removed from all other rock art sites in southern Africa adds to its aura of mystery and magic. The nearest known site is 250 kilometres away. What is more, the paintings at Tsodilo are generally unlike others in the southern African region in both style and the incidence of certain images.



Archaeological research at the hills has recently challenged previously held ideas about human migrations to southern Africa. Scientists have identified the shorelines of a small lake. Among the rare artifacts found there are some animal bone fish hooks dating back more than 20,000 years. Other archaeological discoveries include the location of mines among the hills. There is evidence that between AD 800 and 1,100 the people at Tsodilo were engaged in mining black hematite, and possibly mica, trading it through the extensive trade networks of Africa.