Mysteria

Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09)

Early Historic (regional)·Early Historic·🇿🇼 Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

About

About Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09)

Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Early Historic (regional) rock art of the Early Historic tradition, built c. 800 CE for enclosure 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 mattersRoyal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Early Historic (regional) rock art of the Early Historic traditio

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Chronology and phasing
  2. 02Landscape function

Theories

  1. 01Ceremonial centre
  2. 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. 800 CE
Period
Early Historic (regional)
Culture
Early Historic
Purpose
Enclosure and associated settlement
Excavation
Excavation ongoing
  1. c. 800 CE

    Initial construction / first occupation at Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09)

  2. 19th–20th century

    Excavation and research at Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09)

On the ground

Structures & features

20.9924° S · 30.2658° E · 23 m · 4 mapped features

  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) Main Rock-Art Feature

    rock art

    Primary rock-art feature at Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) – central enclosure and associated settlement element with stratified deposits

    20.9923° S · 30.2659° E
  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) Secondary Enclosure

    enclosure

    Ancillary enclosure/wall line at Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) defining settlement or ritual space

    20.9925° S · 30.2659° E
  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) Outlier Rock Art Panel

    rock art

    Outlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) ceremonial landscape

    20.9923° S · 30.2657° E
  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Enclosure South — Great Zimbabwe (57-09) Reservoir Cistern

    hydraulic

    Rock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management

    20.9925° S · 30.2657° E

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