Great Zimbabwe, meaning 'stone houses' in Shona, is the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in the 11th century by Bantu Iron Age population; city peaked in 14th century as Munhumutapa Empire capital. Population was 10,000 to 20,000 people dominating territory across eastern Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa. Covers approximately 1,977 acres (800 ha) with three complexes: Acropolis (royal city), elliptical Temple enclosure, and Valley Ruins. Walls used no mortar, fitted tightly with slight slope for stability. Six steatite Zimbabwe bird posts. Declined in the 15th century.
Great Zimbabwe: 11th century medieval capital with 60-acre stone complex
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Key facts
- Great Zimbabwe, meaning 'stone houses' in Shona, is the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa
- Founded in the 11th century by Bantu Iron Age population; city peaked in 14th century as Munhumutapa Empire capital
- Population was 10,000 to 20,000 people dominating territory across eastern Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and South Africa
- Covers 60 acres with three complexes: Acropolis (royal city), elliptical Temple enclosure, and Valley Ruins
- Walls used no mortar, fitted tightly with slight slope for stability
- Six steatite posts topped with Zimbabwe birds in the east enclosure served ritual purposes
- Abandoned around 1450 due to hinterland unable to furnish food and deforestation
- Related sites include Khami (15th-17th century capital of Torwa dynasty) and Nalatale (rated most articulate of 150 Zimbabwe ruins)
- Carbon-14 analysis and archaeological artifacts confirmed African construction, refuting earlier Eurocentric theories
Sources
Great Zimbabwemetmuseum.org
The archaeological site of Great Zimbabwe is an extensive remnant of a dry-stone walled ancient African city occupied between the eleventh and ...
Great Zimbabween.wikipedia.org
It is the largest stone structure in precolonial Southern Africa. Major construction on the city began in the 11th century until the 15th century, and it was ...
Great Zimbabwe - National Geographic Educationeducation.nationalgeographic.org
Great Zimbabwe is the name for the stone remains of a medieval city in southeastern Africa. It is composed of three parts, including the Great ...
Great Zimbabwesmarthistory.org
It is the largest stone complex in Africa built before the modern era, aside from the monumental architecture of ancient Egypt.
Great Zimbabwe National Monumentwhc.unesco.org
The Shona word Zimbabwe means the house in stone. The divine soapstone figurines, the Zimbabwe Birds, found within the ruins are testimony to the use of the ...
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