Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17)
Early Historic (regional)·Early Historic·🇿🇼 Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
About
About Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17)
Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Early Historic (regional) temple complex of the Early Historic tradition, built c. 1800 BCE for fortress and associated settlement. Stratified excavations, geophysics and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and mortuary/domestic contexts. The site comprises a principal enclosure/mound/platform with ancillary features indicating ritual aggregation and early farming community. Peer-reviewed plans and heritage protection in place.
Why it mattersInner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Early Historic (regional) temple complex of the Early Historic t
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1800 BCE
- Period
- Early Historic (regional)
- Culture
- Early Historic
- Purpose
- Fortress and associated settlement
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1800 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17)
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17)
On the ground
Structures & features
21.0273° S · 30.5956° E · 194 m · 4 mapped features
Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) Main Temple-Complex Feature
temple complexPrimary temple-complex feature at Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) – central fortress and associated settlement element with stratified deposits
21.0273° S · 30.5956° EInner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) Secondary Enclosure
enclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) defining settlement or ritual space
21.0274° S · 30.5956° EInner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) Outlier Rock Art Panel
rock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Inner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) ceremonial landscape
21.0272° S · 30.5955° EInner Great Zimbabwe Fortress Central — Great Zimbabwe (57-17) Reservoir Cistern
hydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management
21.0275° S · 30.5955° E