Explore the impressive stone wall ruins of the largest man-made structure in medieval sub-Saharan Africa. Built by ancestors of the Shona people, Great Zimbabwe comprises monumental structures, including the iconic Great Enclosure, constructed from dry stone masonry, a building method which relies on the strategic layering of stones without the use of mortar.
Part of Africa’s Cultural Landmarks, a documentary series produced by The Met in collaboration with World Monuments Fund and directed by Sosena Solomon, this film reflects the series' emphasis on community stewardship, highlighting the specialized masonry team entrusted with maintaining these historic structures, employing techniques passed down through generations. Local archaeologists provide insights into Great Zimbabwe’s continuing significance as both a national symbol and a living connection to Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial past.
About Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe (active 11th-15th centuries) is the pre-eminent example among over 400 zimbabwes, or “houses of stone,” built by ancestors of the Shona people of present-day Zimbabwe and South Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage site encompasses extensive areas of archaeological remains, including the Hill Complex, a granite acropolis that was occupied for centuries; the iconic Great Enclosure, the largest ancient structure to be built in sub-Saharan Africa; and the Valley Complex, which comprise a series of residential ensembles that were occupied more recently in the site’s history. At the kingdom’s peak in the fourteenth century, the city was home to a population of more than 10,000. After the fifteenth century, Great Zimbabwe was gradually abandoned and fell into ruin. Constructed from dry stone masonry, a building method which relies on the strategic layering of stones without the use of a mortar or other binding agent, the architectural remains require specialized maintenance passed down from father to son. The surviving archaeological landscape is a site of great significance for the modern Republic of Zimbabwe, both as a national symbol and as a link with its pre-colonial past. It also holds deep significance for local communities of the Charumbira, Mugabe, Murinye, and Nemanwa clans, whose lineages are intertwined with the history of the site.
Africa’s Cultural Landmarksis produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with World Monuments Fund.
