Great Zimbabwe Facts & Worksheets

• Its wealth was largely derived from trading gold, ivory, and other goods with areas such as the Swahili Coast and possibly as far as China and Persia. Indeed, the city sat near gold mines and was central to the elaborate trade routes of its time, which attached it directly and indirectly to the global economic system. 
• Cattle husbandry was also fundamental to the city's economic fabric. Cattle served as a form of currency, were used for religious sacrifices, and were used as a mechanism to form and maintain social relations. Moreover, they were necessary for agricultural activities that fed the city's large population.
• The city's decline has been hypothetically linked to economic stressors, including over-reliance on trade, losses in cattle due to climate change, and the exhaustion of gold mines. These economic challenges might have disrupted the city's demographic and socio-economic balance, culminating in its abandonment.
• Today, Great Zimbabwe serves as a significant source of cultural tourism, contributing to Zimbabwe's modern economy. The magnificence and mystique that surround the ruins draw tourists, who contribute to local and national economic development by bringing in money, creating jobs, and generating revenue.
• As such, the economic effects of Great Zimbabwe have echoed through time, emphasising its relevance, past and present.

Decline and Abandonment

• The decline and abandonment of Great Zimbabwe remain areas of intense interest and speculation among historians. The city reached its peak in the 14th century; however, by the mid-15th century, for reasons still not completely understood, the city was progressively deserted.
• Several theories have been proposed to explain the decline of Great Zimbabwe. One of the leading hypotheses is that economic factors were at play. As the city was reliant on trade and its proximity to gold mines, the exhaustion of gold resources and disruptions in trade networks might have led to economic instability.
• Another theory revolves around environmental changes. Some researchers propose that overpopulation and overgrazing led to ecological degradation around the city. Deforestation for timber to smelt and refine vast quantities of gold is also thought to have contributed to this environmental collapse.
• Social factors also possibly contributed to the city's fall. Political disputes over control and succession may have led to conflict and the decentralisation of power. Following the decline, the rulers moved north, marking the rise of the Kingdom of Mutapa.
• It's important to note that there are no definitive records detailing why the city was abandoned. Much of our understanding relies on archaeological evidence, the interpretation of which can vary widely.
• Notwithstanding the eventual loss of the city, the enduring historical and cultural significance of Great Zimbabwe persists. The city's remains are a moving reminder of a bygone era of significant trade, inventive architecture, and sophisticated social structure. The city is a symbol of a strong state that predated colonial intrusion.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Great Zimbabwe was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 in recognition of its extraordinary cultural and historical significance. As a UNESCO site, Great Zimbabwe joins a distinguished list of places considered to possess universal value for humanity.
• This ancient city's inclusion in the prestigious list underscores its global importance as one of the most significant testaments to Africa's early urban civilisation. Here, dry-stone architectural marvels stand alongside cultural artefacts that tell a rich story about the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the Late Iron Age.
• The UNESCO status has contributed to awareness and protection efforts, appealing for global cooperation to preserve and conserve the site. This is crucial, as some parts have suffered from exposure to natural elements and human activities over centuries. Ensuring the site's preservation helps future generations appreciate and study this impactful historical civilisation.
• Moreover, recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beyond its preservation, has provided social and economic benefits. The designation attracts tourists and researchers worldwide, stimulating local economies and providing employment opportunities in sectors such as tourism and conservation.
• Great Zimbabwe's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site underscores its profound historical, cultural, and architectural significance. This status emphasises not just the city's past glory but also its enduring value to global heritage and contemporary society.
• Only a few archaeological excavations have been conducted at the site. Regrettably, European visitors in the 20th century were responsible for substantial plunder and destruction. European colonists, when they first discovered Great Zimbabwe in the late 19th century, were unable to reconcile its advanced architecture with their existing biases and denied its African origins. They attributed the site to a variety of non-African sources, such as the Phoenicians, Romans, or biblical figures. Prejudiced viewpoints that aimed to diminish African capabilities and accomplishments were the driving force behind this skewed portrayal.
• This refutation of Great Zimbabwe's African roots lasted until the 20th century, when archaeological evidence unequivocally pointed to an advanced indigenous African civilisation as its creator. The initial dismissive viewpoints of the European colonists and their reluctant acknowledgement of African cultural advancement underscore the deep-rooted cultural misconceptions and misinformation prevalent during the colonial era.