Mysteria

Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35)

Medieval (regional)·Medieval·🇿🇼 Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

About

About Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35)

Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Medieval (regional) ancient city of the Medieval tradition, built c. 1800 BCE for terrace 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 Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Medieval (regional) ancient city of the Medieval tradition, built c

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. 1800 BCE
Period
Medieval (regional)
Culture
Medieval
Purpose
Terrace and associated settlement
Excavation
Partially excavated
  1. c. 1800 BCE

    Initial construction / first occupation at Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35)

  2. 19th–20th century

    Excavation and research at Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35)

On the ground

Structures & features

20.9586° S · 30.3453° E · 307 m · 4 mapped features

  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) Main Ancient-City Feature

    structure

    Primary ancient-city feature at Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) – central terrace and associated settlement element with stratified deposits

    20.9585° S · 30.3453° E
  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) Secondary Enclosure

    enclosure

    Ancillary enclosure/wall line at Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) defining settlement or ritual space

    20.9587° S · 30.3454° E
  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) Outlier Rock Art Panel

    rock art

    Outlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) ceremonial landscape

    20.9585° S · 30.3452° E
  • Royal Great Zimbabwe Terrace Outer — Great Zimbabwe (57-35) Reservoir Cistern

    hydraulic

    Rock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management

    20.9587° S · 30.3452° E

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