The ruins of Great Zimbabwe are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa's most important historical monuments.
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe —
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa's most important historical monuments.
DESMOND KWANDE/AFP/Getty Images/file
The ancient stone city was a major commercial and trading post between the 11th and 15th centuries.
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe —
The ancient stone city was a major commercial and trading post between the 11th and 15th centuries.
DESMOND KWANDE/AFP/Getty Images/file
The archeological remains of Great Zimbabwe are divided in three main zones: the Hill Complex, the Great Enclosure and the Valley Ruins.
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe —
The archeological remains of Great Zimbabwe are divided in three main zones: the Hill Complex, the Great Enclosure and the Valley Ruins.
Graciela Gonzalez Brigas
The stone kingdom became such an important part of the national identity that Zimbabwe itself was named for this ancient city -- Zimbabwe translates to "big houses of stone."
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe —
The stone kingdom became such an important part of the national identity that Zimbabwe itself was named for this ancient city -- Zimbabwe translates to "big houses of stone."
Graciela Gonzalez Brigas
The historical site extends over about 800 hectares and contains the largest pre-colonial structure in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe —
The historical site extends over about 800 hectares and contains the largest pre-colonial structure in sub-Saharan Africa.
Graciela Gonzalez Brigas
Skillful builders crafted huge dry-stone walls, incorporating massive boulders into some of the grand structures.
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe —
Skillful builders crafted huge dry-stone walls, incorporating massive boulders into some of the grand structures.
Graciela Gonzalez Brigas
Walls extend between rocky outcrops and massive rocks, forming a maze of narrow passageways and enclosures.
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe —
Walls extend between rocky outcrops and massive rocks, forming a maze of narrow passageways and enclosures.
Graciela Gonzalez Brigas