Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11)
Early Historic (regional)·Early Historic·🇿🇼 Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
About
About Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11)
Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Early Historic (regional) temple complex of the Early Historic tradition, built c. 1800 BCE for hilltop 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 mattersWestern Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Early Historic (regional) temple complex of the Early Historic tr
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
- Hilltop and associated settlement
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1800 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11)
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11)
On the ground
Structures & features
20.6328° S · 30.9717° E · 416 m · 4 mapped features
Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) Main Temple-Complex Feature
temple complexPrimary temple-complex feature at Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) – central hilltop and associated settlement element with stratified deposits
20.6328° S · 30.9717° EWestern Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) Secondary Enclosure
enclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) defining settlement or ritual space
20.6329° S · 30.9717° EWestern Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) Outlier Rock Art Panel
rock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Western Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) ceremonial landscape
20.6327° S · 30.9716° EWestern Great Zimbabwe Hilltop South — Great Zimbabwe (57-11) Reservoir Cistern
hydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management
20.6329° S · 30.9716° E