King Kennedy strives to keep ancient customs alive among the Venda people.

After Apartheid ended in South Africa in 1994, the study of African history began to flourish. Archeologists came to rediscover the Venda, a sophisticated African culture dating back to the thirteenth century.

In "City of Gold," Alan and archaeologist Sydney Miller take a closer look at some revealing discoveries from the ancient royal citadel called Thulamela. They also meet the modern Venda, who keep their traditions alive while living in the new South Africa.

Inside what is now South Africa's Kruger National Park, Sydney Miller has worked for more than three years to excavate and reconstruct Thulamela. Among the ruins of the landlocked kingdom, Miller found iron bells from West Africa and glass beads from India, indicating extensive trading with outsiders. Durable tools, ornate weaponry and lumps of metals in various stages of smelting suggest that the Venda were also great metal workers.

Alan joins the Venda in a traditional dance.

Ruins of the King's quarters and ceremonial areas mirror some traditions still kept alive by the modern Venda people. Alan meets King Kennedy, who drives his car to work, but still dances in ceremonies and adheres to centuries old protocols. But traditions evolve, and King Kennedy likely acts in ways his predecessors never would have. That's why the findings at Thulamela are so important. They record the history of the Venda, and, by extension, all South Africans.