The Mystery of the Giant Creature House in Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe is a city that dates back to the 11th century around Lake Mutirikwe and Masvingo City. There are giant blocks and various forms of natural carvings caused by wind, rain, heat, and cold. According to folklore there, the 722-hectare place is the playground of giant creatures. The name Zimbabwe itself comes from the Shona language which means big stone house.

The city, which dates back to the Late Iron Age, can accommodate up to 18000 residents. It was built as part of the Gokomere culture which is the ancestor of today's Shona tribe in Zimbabwe. Others say that the city was built by the ancestors of the Lemba or Venda tribes who collaborated with the Gokomere.

the great zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's large territory survived until the 4th century. From the 4th to 7th centuries, the Gokomere or Ziwa people farmed the valley, and mined and made iron tools. But they didn't build stone structures. According to archaeologists, this area dates back to the very old iron age. The Zimbabwean Giant Ruins are the largest structure in Africa and the second oldest after Mapungubwe in South Africa.

Great Zimbabwe was eventually abandoned, with parts of it falling into ruin. However, many structures still stand today, and the site has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. According to some, the most impressive traces of Zimbabwean civilization are the great stone walls. The walls are made of granite, one of the local natural resources collected from the surrounding hills. The large slabs are easily removed, transported, and built, creating an extensive set of walls around the perimeter of the complex.

The ruins of Great Zimbabwe form three distinct architectural groupings, which have been labeled the Hill Complex, the Valley Complex, and the Great Citadel. There is much debate as to the meaning or purpose of the three groups. Some say that each group represents a different king, with new rulers creating new residences when taking power. This would suggest that the focus of power shifted across Greater Zimbabwe over the centuries. Others propose that the groupings are used consistently throughout time.

Each of the complexes in Great Zimbabwe had a specific purpose within the community; the Hill Complex may have served as a temple, the Valley Complex was where people lived, and the Great Fort was the home of the king.

Some evidence of the people who inhabited Great Zimbabwe comes from artifacts that have been found in the area, including figurines of powdered-schist stone, pottery, iron gongs, ivory wire, intricate iron and copper work, iron hoes, bronze spearheads, copper ingots, and crucibles, and gold beads, bracelets, pendants, and sarongs.

One of the most famous artifacts found to date is the eight birds of Zimbabwe. The birds are 16 inches tall, carved from talcum powder, and placed on top of a large stone monolith that is about a yard tall. Unfortunately, the birds were not found in situ, so it is unknown where they were when it was built. There are some physical indications that the Zimbabwe Birds were placed on the Eastern Border of the Hill Complex. The birds bear both human and avian features, including lips for a beak, and claws with five fingers. They may have been a symbol of royal presence. The layout of where the birds were located may give insight into where the king or leader lived in Great Zimbabwe.

There is a lot of speculation as to what caused the Great Zimbabwean population to leave, most of which adds to the decline in available resources. Some say it may be due to a decline in trade from the North, or dwindling resources in nearby gold mines. Others cite political unrest, famine, and water shortages due to climate change, which will force residents to move to areas with an abundance of existing resources.

Great Zimbabwe gives us a glimpse into past human civilizations, but it remains a great enigma. Much is still unknown about this ancient site, how it was made, why it was built, how it was used, and why it was abandoned. We may never know the answers to these questions, but we can still marvel at the amazing ruins that gave Zimbabwe its name.

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