Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Introduction According to an ancient legend, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins were the capital of the Queen of Sheba. Between the 11th and 15th centuries, they offer a unique glimpse into the Bantu culture of the Shona people. Covering nearly 80 hectares, this city was known as a major trading center during the medieval period.

Zimbabwe An ancient African nation that began in the 12th century. Some attribute the grand and mysterious stone structures of Great Zimbabwe to the Queen of Sheba, yet they are in fact the authentic work of Africans. The word "Zimbabwe" may derive from the Bantu language, meaning "the revered stone city." Indeed, Great Zimbabwe features many memorable stone ruins—none using mortar, arches, or domes. For modern people, Great Zimbabwe remains a mystery, as irresponsible actions by treasure hunters in the 19th century significantly hindered archaeological efforts today. These treasure hunters, under the guise of the Rhodesia Ancient Monuments Development Company, carried out a legally sanctioned looting of the historic site. Great Zimbabwe consists of three main architectural groups: early citadels (or hill forts); an oval enclosure (or temple area) surrounded by high stone walls; and various building remains in the valley between the citadel and the enclosure. The site enjoys an ideal location with fertile soil and abundant rainfall—factors crucial to the growth and prosperity of a civilization. Early explorers of Great Zimbabwe believed these structures were built not by Africans, but by foreign peoples. However, efforts to prove the presence of such outsiders have failed, and much of the evidence once presented for such theories has since been discredited.

Zimbabwe Harare