Khami Ruins

Khami Ruins

IntroductionIn 1986, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under cultural heritage selection criteria C(III)(IV). Khami was once the capital of Great Zimbabwe and enjoyed a period of prosperity before being abandoned in the mid-16th century. Today, Khami has emerged as an important archaeological site. Artifacts unearthed from Europe and China suggest that Khami has a long history of trade. Great Zimbabwe was a renowned trading hub during the Italian Renaissance. Precious relics excavated here, such as Spanish silverware and exquisite Chinese and Portuguese porcelain, provide clear evidence of extensive global trade between Great Zimbabwe and other countries. The Khami ruins of Great Zimbabwe cover an area of 35 acres and are the most prominent among 50 notable urban sites between the Zambezi River (in southern Africa) and the Limpopo River. The Khami site in Zimbabwe is officially recognized by UNESCO as a "World Cultural Heritage." Built between the mid-15th century and mid-17th century, the Khami ruins are located near present-day Bulawayo (a city in southwestern Zimbabwe). Around 1450, Khami became a bustling center of international trade, witnessing thriving commerce from around the world. It also served as a posting site for foreign envoys, with the Portuguese having erected a granite cross on one of its hillsides. Residents at the time lived in huts built from rounded stones, enclosed by granite walls. Narrow pathways and corridors connected the various homes, characterized by unique decorations in the shape of "mountains" or irregular grids. Many ancient buildings in the city have been preserved to varying degrees. However, they are now under threat from a nearby large dam—the ground in the area has become unstable, with some walls cracked, bulging, or even at risk of sudden collapse, and this danger is growing. Vegetation poses a dual threat through unchecked growth and careless removal. Burrowing animals and those stealing roof beams and building stones are further undermining the ruins, putting them in even greater jeopardy. Therefore, formulating a strategic preservation plan has become an urgent priority. On August 1, 1997, a basic preservation project was initiated. Training and exams were also conducted for guides working in the area, focusing on “the many harms of unregulated tourism to the Khami ruins,” but the management and protection of the ruins and their surrounding areas still require significant improvement. To achieve this goal, in 1997, the United States, via express delivery, donated $50,000 to the site through the World Heritage Watch Committee. However, proposals for a preservation plan have yet to be approved, and training for the management of the Khami ruins has not been completed as scheduled. At present, this precious heritage of human civilization continues on an uncertain and deteriorating path.　

Harare, Zimbabwe