Great Zimbabwe (9-15th century) - House of Stone

Shona People

The ethnic group that made up the population in the region discussed.

Settlements

200 smaller trading posts established across Namibia to Mozambique.

Conical Tower

A structure representing the King’s power in the Great Zimbabwe.

Southern Africa

The geographical location of the Shona people and Great Zimbabwe.

Indian Ocean Trade

The trade network that connected Great Zimbabwe to various regions, including the Eastern Swahili Coast.

Great Zimbabwe

A stone kingdom that gained resources through trade, allowing for its construction.

Trade Partners

Islam, India, and China were key trading partners for Great Zimbabwe.

Economic Resources

Gold and cattle were significant resources for the economy of Great Zimbabwe.

Great Enclosure

A structure in Great Zimbabwe showcasing advanced urban planning with curved walls.

Granite Construction

The technique used in Great Zimbabwe where granite was stacked precisely without mortar.

Iron Metallurgy

The technology used by the Shona people for metalworking.

European Colonization

The process by which Europeans claimed ownership of the land, often disregarding local history and artifacts.

Downfall Factors

The decline of Great Zimbabwe was due to decreased mining output, cattle overgrazing, and depleted resources.

Historical Revisionism

In the 1960s and 1970s, white minority historians claimed that Great Zimbabwe was built by foreign peoples.

Zimbabwe Independence

In the 1980s, Zimbabwe achieved independence and asserted that Great Zimbabwe was created by Africans.

Post-1000 CE Changes

The rise of larger kingdoms in Sub-Saharan Africa due to trade, wealth accumulation, and cultural diversity.

Political Structure Shift

The transition from kin-based communities to more complex political structures driven by trade wealth.