Great Zimbabwe, a massive stone city in southern Africa, stands as one of the continent’s greatest archaeological achievements.

A City of Stone

Constructed between the 11th and 15th centuries, the site features:

The Great Enclosure
The Hill Complex
Walls reaching up to 36 feet high

The architecture used no mortar, relying on masterful stone-fitting.

Center of Trade and Power

Great Zimbabwe controlled trade routes linking inland regions to the Swahili coast. Goods such as gold, ivory, and ceramics flowed through the city.

Colonial Myths vs. Reality

Early European explorers refused to believe Africans built the site. Today, archaeologists confirm it was the capital of the Shona-speaking ancestors of modern Zimbabweans.

Purpose and Decline

Scholars suggest it served as a royal residence and ceremonial center. Its decline may have resulted from overpopulation, drought, or shifting trade routes.