Great Zimbabwe: An Ancient African City
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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of Great Zimbabwe during its peak?

  • A trade center (correct)
  • A religious site
  • A royal residence
  • A military fortress

Great Zimbabwe was built between the 11th and 14th centuries.

True (A)

Who was one of the first foreigners to encounter the site of Great Zimbabwe?

Viçente Pegado

The city of Great Zimbabwe is located in modern-day ______.

<p>Zimbabwe</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the explorers with their contributions or beliefs about Great Zimbabwe:

<p>Viçente Pegado = First foreign encounter with Great Zimbabwe Karl Mauch = Believed it was an African replica of Solomon's Temple Historical Perspective = Frenzied plundering by European treasure-hunters Indigenous Africans = Constructed the extensive network of monuments</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature did Great Zimbabwe possess that facilitated water drainage?

<p>An extensive drainage system (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Captain Pegado described the fortress as being made with mortar.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated population of Great Zimbabwe at its peak?

<p>18,000 people</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Cecil Rhodes aim to prove about the Great Zimbabwe civilization?

<p>It was built by Phoenicians. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe successfully eliminated all threats to the preservation of Great Zimbabwe.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who became prime minister of Zimbabwe in 1980?

<p>Robert Mugabe</p> Signup and view all the answers

Great Zimbabwe was designated a ____________ in 1986.

<p>Unesco World Heritage Site</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of shrub has posed a challenge to the preservation of Great Zimbabwe?

<p>Lantana (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following figures or entities with their contributions or roles regarding Great Zimbabwe:

<p>Cecil Rhodes = Financed archeological efforts to disprove local origins Robert Mugabe = Renamed the country in honor of Great Zimbabwe Clinton Dale Mutambo = Highlighted the national pride associated with the site James Theodore Bent = Sent by British Association of Science for archeological proof</p> Signup and view all the answers

Great Zimbabwe's history is primarily derived from written documents.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the famous carvings associated with Great Zimbabwe depict?

<p>Soapstone birds</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who concluded that the ruins of Great Zimbabwe were built by local African Bantu peoples?

<p>David Randall-MacIver (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Great Zimbabwe's architecture is considered unparalleled elsewhere in Africa only.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the name 'Zimbabwe' mean in the language of its builders' descendants?

<p>big stone houses or venerated houses</p> Signup and view all the answers

Great Zimbabwe was the heart of an extensive commercial and trading network due to its position on the route between the gold producing regions and ___.

<p>ports on the Mozambique coast</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following architectural zones of Great Zimbabwe with their primary features:

<p>Hill Complex = Spiritual and religious center Great Enclosure = Largest ancient structure in Africa south of the Sahara Valley Complex = Living ensembles of craftspeople Conical Tower = Symbolic or functional interpretation</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of natural resources were abundant around Great Zimbabwe, contributing to its wealth?

<p>Gold and copper (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Great Enclosure has sharp angles in its wall design.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the hypothesized reason for the decline of trading activity in Great Zimbabwe around the mid-15th century?

<p>Shortage of food, pastures, and natural resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

The lower parts of buildings in Great Zimbabwe were constructed using ____ rocks that were heated and then cracked with cold water.

<p>granite</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following explorers or archaeologists with their contributions related to Great Zimbabwe:

<p>David Randall-MacIver = Confirmed the local Bantu peoples as builders Gertrude Caton-Thompson = Supported Randall-MacIver's findings Richard Nicklin Hall = Destroyed significant parts of the site Peter Garlake = Praised the architecture of the site</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable feature of the Hill Complex in Great Zimbabwe?

<p>A boulder resembling the Zimbabwe Bird (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The indigenous people believed that Great Zimbabwe was built by ancient Jewish tribes.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many groups of buildings are there in Great Zimbabwe?

<p>12</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sophisticated architecture of Great Zimbabwe includes turrets, towers, and ___.

<p>elegantly sculpted stairways</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary trading item that Great Zimbabwe was known for?

<p>Gold (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Great Zimbabwe

A large stone city in southern Zimbabwe, constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries. It was thought to be a major hub of trade.

Construction Period of Great Zimbabwe

The city was built between 11th and 14th centuries.

Size of Great Zimbabwe

Covered over 722 hectares and housed an estimated population of 18,000 people during its peak

European Treasure Hunters

They plundered the site at the turn of the 20th century in search of artifacts, sending these to European and American museums.

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Purpose (Great Zimbabwe)

Likely served as a trading hub, capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, and center for the city-state.

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Karl Mauch's Perspective

He believed Great Zimbabwe was built by a foreign 'civilized nation', likely European, and was influenced by biblical structures.

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European Explorer's Encounter (1531)

A Portuguese sea captain, Vicente Pegado, encountered the site and described the massive stonework.

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Drainage System (Great Zimbabwe)

Great Zimbabwe had elaborate drainage systems that funnelled water away from buildings.

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Great Zimbabwe's History

Derived from archaeological evidence and oral histories of the Shona people, particularly regarding spiritual beliefs and building traditions.

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Colonial Misrepresentation

Early researchers and colonial governments tried to connect Great Zimbabwe to external groups, like the Phoenicians, to diminish its African origins.

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Great Zimbabwe's Significance

A notable African empire of Southern Africa, a source of pride for Zimbabweans.

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Unesco World Heritage Site

Great Zimbabwe was recognized as a crucial cultural and historical site of global importance, deserving of protection.

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Preservation Challenges

Uncontrolled growth of vegetation and invasive species, like lantana, threaten Great Zimbabwe's stability.

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Tourism Impact

Tourists visiting Great Zimbabwe contribute to the site's wear and tear, impacting its structure.

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Rhodes's Funding

British mining magnate Cecil Rhodes funded archaeologist James Theodore Bent to downplay the African origins of the site.

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Zimbabwean Independence

Zimbabwe's name change and flag design acknowledged cultural importance of Great Zimbabwe.

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Indigenous Beliefs

The belief that the people in the area attributed the city's building to demons or aliens.

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David Randall-MacIver

A British archaeologist who concluded the city's ruins were medieval, built by African peoples.

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Great Enclosure

The largest, circular structure at Great Zimbabwe, made of massive granite blocks.

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Hill Complex

The oldest part of Great Zimbabwe, believed to have been a spiritual and religious center.

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Valley Complex

A series of houses made from mud and earth that housed craftsman.

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Shona People

The descendants of the builders of Great Zimbabwe, who live in the region today.

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Trading Network

Extensive trade routes that connected Great Zimbabwe to gold-producing regions and coastal ports.

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Granite Blocks

Large blocks of stone used in Great Zimbabwe's construction, often carefully cut and fitted together.

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Abandonment

The process by which the city was left empty and no longer occupied, believed to result from resource shortages.

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Richard Nicklin Hall

British curator who damaged Great Zimbabwe ruins, seeking evidence of European builders.

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Architectural Zones

The three distinct areas of Great Zimbabwe ruins: Hill Complex, Great Enclosure, Valley Complex.

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Trade items

Gold, ivory, copper, tin, cattle and cowrie shells.

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Medieval Period

The historical period referring to the time period during Great Zimbabwe construction.

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Study Notes

Great Zimbabwe: An Ancient African City

  • Rumours of a massive, stone fortress in the African jungle circulated in Europe in the 16th century, suggesting a sophisticated trading civilization.
  • Portuguese sea captain, Viçente Pegado, documented a site in 1531, describing enormous stone structures without mortar, surrounded by hills with similar features (including a 12-fathom-high tower).
  • Constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries over 722 hectares in modern Zimbabwe.

Construction and Design

  • A vast, 80-hectare complex with 12 building groups spread across Mutirikwi valley – an "unparalleled" African architecture.
  • Constructed using granite blocks, precisely cut and laid without mortar.
  • Great Enclosure: a large, circular structure with a 250-meter outer wall, 11 meters high.
  • Hill Complex: The oldest part, believed to be a spiritual and religious centre.
  • Valley Complex: Houses, homes, and workplaces made from earth and mud.

Indigenous Inhabitants and Significance

  • Estimated 18,000 people lived in the city at its peak, with only an elite few living in the stone enclosures.
  • Trade in gold, ivory, copper, tin, cattle, and cowrie shells thrived. Foreign goods like glass, coins, and ceramics were imported.
  • Trading activity diminished in the mid-15th century, potentially due to resource scarcity in the region.

European Misinterpretations and Colonial Influences

  • European explorers like Karl Mauch falsely claimed the city was built by an ancient civilization.
  • Mauch believed the site was an African replica of biblical palaces.
  • European historians and colonizers incorrectly attributed the city's construction to the Portuguese, Arabs, or foreigners.
  • Theories included it being built by a Jewish tribe or aliens, or that it was "a copy of Solomon's Temple".
  • British archaeologist David Randall-MacIver and Gertrude Caton-Thompson correctly identified the constructions as having been built by local Bantu peoples.
  • European treasure hunters plundered the site at the turn of the 20th century
  • British colonial policies and treasure-hunters caused significant damage to the site

Preservation and Ongoing Challenges

  • The Shona, descendants of the builders, called the city "Zimbabwe", meaning "big stone houses."
  • Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, uncontrolled vegetation growth and invasive species like lantana threaten the site's stability.
  • Attempts to preserve the site faced challenges due to damage from tourists, colonial practices and treasure-hunters, and reconstruction attempts by local Zimbabwean authorities.

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Description

Explore the fascinating history and architecture of Great Zimbabwe, a remarkable ancient civilization in Africa. Discover its unique construction techniques using granite blocks and learn about its various complexes, including the Great Enclosure and the Hill Complex. This quiz delves into the society that thrived between the 11th and 14th centuries.

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