Mysteria

Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16)

Iron Age (regional)·Iron Age·🇿🇼 Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

About

About Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16)

Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Iron Age (regional) rock art of the Iron Age tradition, built c. 3000 BCE for sanctuary 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 mattersSacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) at Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe is a Iron Age (regional) rock art of the Iron Age 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. 3000 BCE
Period
Iron Age (regional)
Culture
Iron Age
Purpose
Sanctuary and associated settlement
Excavation
Excavated
  1. c. 3000 BCE

    Initial construction / first occupation at Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16)

  2. 19th–20th century

    Excavation and research at Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16)

On the ground

Structures & features

20.8635° S · 30.7041° E · 405 m · 4 mapped features

  • Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) Main Rock-Art Feature

    rock art

    Primary rock-art feature at Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) – central sanctuary and associated settlement element with stratified deposits

    20.8635° S · 30.7042° E
  • Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) Secondary Enclosure

    enclosure

    Ancillary enclosure/wall line at Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) defining settlement or ritual space

    20.8636° S · 30.7042° E
  • Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) Outlier Rock Art Panel

    rock art

    Outlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) ceremonial landscape

    20.8634° S · 30.7041° E
  • Sacred Great Zimbabwe Sanctuary East — Great Zimbabwe (57-16) Reservoir Cistern

    hydraulic

    Rock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management

    20.8636° S · 30.7040° E

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