I mentioned that the remains of regional centres such as Old Tati near the confluence of the Tati and Shashe rivers, Thune Ruin near Selebi-Phikwe and indeed at the otherwise famous site of Domboshaba became targets of early archaeological research in Botswana. The first archaeological excavations conducted in Botswana were undertaken by a group of German explorers known as the Frobenius Expedition. They excavated at Domboshaba Ruins and nearby Vukwi Ruins as early as 1929 and discovered fragments of Chinese celadon porcelain which were obviously special gifts given to the ruler living here some time in the past. Their excavations also helped shed light on the spatial organisation of Domboshaba centre.
We now know for example, that the ruler at Domboshaba lived on a hill surrounded by stonewalls arranged into a series of court yards that were abutting or adjoining four houses made out of fired floors. The main entrance to the ruler's residence was on the northern parts of the hill top ruin and was guarded by a councillor or some kind of court clerk whose house is found on a lower terrace. Near this house was an open area, which served as the court or assembly point where daily issues of the province were discussed by the ruler and his assistants. It is highly unlikely that the court or assembly point was located in front of the lower ruin as some people usually suggest. In fact, the lower ruins are a large enclosure in which the ruler's wives resided. It is here that the Chinese porcelain was found.
