Medieval UNESCO World Heritage Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe

A medieval African capital of dry-stone walls.

Overview

Great Zimbabwe was the capital of a Shona-speaking kingdom that grew wealthy through cattle and long-distance trade in gold. Its curving granite walls were built without mortar; the Great Enclosure is the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara.

Finds of Chinese porcelain and Persian glass show its connections across the Indian Ocean world. The country itself takes its name from the site.

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