The Great Zimbabwe Ruins

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

　　        Zimbabwe was an ancient African kingdom that began in the 12th century. Some attribute the magnificent and mysterious stone structures of Great Zimbabwe to Queen Sheba, but they are in fact the work of indigenous Africans. The word “Zimbabwe” likely originates from the Bantu language, meaning “great house of stone.” Indeed, the Great Zimbabwe features many memorable stone structures, built without mortar, arches, or domes. For modern people, Great Zimbabwe remains a mystery, as irresponsible actions by treasure hunters in the 19th century greatly hindered archaeological efforts today. These treasure hunters, under the guise of the Rhodesia Ancient Ruins Exploitation Company, legally looted this historic site.     There are three main architectural groups at Great Zimbabwe: early citadels (or hill forts); an oval enclosure (or temple area) surrounded by high stone walls; and various building ruins located in the valley between the citadel and the enclosure. The site enjoys an ideal location with fertile soil and ample rainfall—key factors contributing to the growth and prosperity of a civilization. Early explorers of Great Zimbabwe long believed these structures were built not by Africans but by foreign peoples. However, attempts to prove the presence of foreign settlers have failed, and much of the evidence supporting such claims has been discredited.

　　     Zimbabwe Harare