Great Zimbabwe

Located within the state of Zimbabwe are the ruins of the city for which the country was named.  Great Zimbabwe is but one of many ruins that are referred to as Zimbabwe (or "house of stone)), though it is by far the largest and, during its time, was the most influential.  It also happens to be the largest ruins site in sub-Saharan Africa and was once the most populous city in the entire southern continent.

The origins of Great Zimbabwe are somewhat mysterious and up for debate, although the most common belief is that they hosted the Bantu civilization.  The city rose during the 11^th century and continued to grow in influence until its collapse during the 15^th century.  It reached a population of more than 20,000 people during its peak and was so prolific with trade that artifacts from as far away as China can be found there today.  The city’s unfortunate downfall came due to a combination of overpopulation and political turmoil, dispersing its power across neighboring regions.

This site is made even more interesting by the fact that it was built completely without benefit of mortar, the stones made in such a way as to balance properly to hold their integrity.  There are several key areas that define Great Zimbabwe, including the Great Enclosure, the Hill Complex and the Valley Complex.  The Great Enclosure was erected later in the history of the city and houses many residential and community buildings, all within a wall that is more than 35 feet tall in some places.  The Hill Complex was believed to have been the first seat of royal power in the city.  It sits atop a granite dome, overlooking the rest of the site and consists of many residential and ceremonial enclosures.  The Valley Complex was the last development of the city before its collapse and consists mainly of living areas.

Unfortunately, much of the city’s history and culture remain a mystery, as the majority of the artifacts at the site were stolen by treasure hunters during the 19^th century.  Still, a museum sits at the site, displaying what artifacts are left and educating people on what is known of the city.  Visitors can get a guided tour of the site, a journey that takes around three hours due to the sheer size of the city.  And while there, there are many other things to see within the borders of Zimbabwe that, while not as grand in scale, are just as interesting.

Great Zimbabwe wall courtesy of Matrius Loots via Wikicommons