The enduring legacy of Great Zimbabwe

Nestled in the southeastern hills of Zimbabwe lies a sprawling stone complex that has long fascinated historians, archaeologists, and travelers alike.

Zimbabwe is famous for its safaris and waterfalls. But it’s also home to a fascinating ruins complex. Known as Great Zimbabwe, this ancient city once stood as the heart of a powerful African kingdom. While its massive stone walls and mysterious architecture draw the most attention, the legacy of Great Zimbabwe runs far deeper than the ruins themselves.

It’s a symbol of African ingenuity, political sophistication, trade dominance, and cultural pride—a living testament that challenges long-held misconceptions about Africa’s precolonial past. For modern Zimbabweans, Great Zimbabwe is not just a relic of history but a cornerstone of national identity and cultural resurgence.

A city of stone and strategy

Great Zimbabwe was built between the 11th and 15th centuries, reaching its peak in the 14th century as the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. The city was the epicenter of political power, commerce, and religion for a civilization that stretched across present-day Zimbabwe and into parts of Mozambique and South Africa.

What makes Great Zimbabwe extraordinary is its construction. Built entirely without mortar, its walls—some towering over 11 meters high and stretching over 250 meters long—are a feat of engineering. These dry-stone structures were constructed using carefully cut granite blocks that fit together with astonishing precision.

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The fascinating Hill Complex of Great Zimbabwe.

The site is divided into three main areas:

• The Hill Complex, believed to be the religious and royal center

• The Great Enclosure, the largest ancient structure in sub-Saharan Africa

• The Valley Ruins, which housed the majority of the population

Far from being a scattered set of ruins, Great Zimbabwe was a functioning urban center that likely supported 15,000 to 20,000 people at its height.

A hub of commerce and influence

Great Zimbabwe’s location was no accident. It sat strategically between the goldfields of southern Africa and the trade routes leading to the Swahili Coast. Archaeological finds at the site—Chinese porcelain, Persian glassware, and Arab coins—demonstrate that Great Zimbabwe was a key player in international trade networks, especially through ports like Sofala on the Indian Ocean.

Its primary exports included gold, ivory, and cattle, which were exchanged for luxury goods. This commerce enriched the elite ruling class, bolstering a centralized political structure with strong leadership—likely a king or spiritual leader—at the top.

These trade connections helped elevate Great Zimbabwe to its status as one of the most influential urban centers in precolonial Africa, rivaling other ancient cities like Timbuktu and Axum in its reach and cultural impact.

Beyond the walls

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One of the most enduring symbols of Great Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Bird, a soapstone carving found in the ruins. Eight of these birds were discovered at the site, and they are believed to represent royalty, spiritual power, or ancestral connection. Today, the Zimbabwe Bird appears on the national flag, currency, and coat of arms, reflecting the deep national reverence for the site.

The word "Zimbabwe" itself is derived from the Shona phrase "dzimba dza mabwe", meaning “houses of stone.” When the country gained independence in 1980, adopting the name Zimbabwe was a bold act of reclaiming identity that signaled a desire to move beyond colonial narratives and embrace a proud, indigenous past.

Righting colonial distortions

For decades, the true history of Great Zimbabwe was suppressed, misrepresented, or outright denied by colonial authorities. Early European explorers and settlers refused to believe that Africans could have built such an advanced and monumental structure. Theories attributing its construction to Phoenicians, Arabs, or even aliens persisted well into the 20th century—despite overwhelming archaeological evidence to the contrary.

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Aerial view of the Great Zimbabwe ruins.

It wasn’t until the work of archaeologists like Gertrude Caton-Thompson in the 1920s that the truth began to surface: Great Zimbabwe was built by African people, most likely the ancestors of the modern Shona.

Today, this battle for historical truth is part of Great Zimbabwe’s legacy. It stands not just as a physical monument, but as a challenge to Eurocentric views of African history. It invites a re-evaluation of Africa’s place in the world before colonization and affirms that sophisticated civilizations thrived on the continent long before foreign powers arrived.

See it for yourself

Great Zimbabwe is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the globe who are drawn to its majestic stone walls, scenic landscape, and rich history. However, like many archaeological sites, it faces challenges. Weathering, vegetation growth, and human impact pose ongoing threats. Efforts are underway to preserve the ruins, improve tourism infrastructure, and promote educational outreach.

Visiting Great Zimbabwe today is not just a historical journey—it’s a cultural one. Local communities around the site maintain traditional music, crafts, and spiritual practices that echo the legacy of their ancestors. Events like traditional dance festivals and storytelling nights help keep the spirit of Great Zimbabwe alive in the present.

The next time someone tells you Africa has no history, you can point to the hills of Masvingo and say: there, in stone, is a kingdom that once ruled, traded, created, and endured—and still inspires today.

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