The Lost Medieval City of "Great Zimbabwe" The Mystery of Africa’s Gold Trade

While medieval Europe was busy with Crusades, palace intrigues, and religious wars, an advanced civilization flourished in Southern Africa—Great Zimbabwe, This city was the heart of a remarkable civilization, yet its history remains largely unknown to many.

What Was Great Zimbabwe?

- It was a prosperous city-state from the 11th to the 15th century, spanning what is now Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana.

- The most famous structure of this city is the massive stone fortress (Stone Enclosure), built without mortar, using only carefully stacked stones.

- It was a hub of gold trade, conducting commerce with Arabia, India, and China.

The Mysterious Decline

The fall of Great Zimbabwe remains shrouded in mystery. Some theories suggest:

- Climate change (drought) as the primary cause.

- Shifts in trade routes leading to economic collapse.

- Internal political instability or external invasions.

Colonial Distortions

When Europeans (particularly the British and Portuguese) discovered these ruins, they refused to believe that Africans could have built such architecture! They linked it to the legendary Queen of Sheba or even the Phoenician civilization, distorting its true history.

Modern Research & Significance

Today, Great Zimbabwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, proving that Africa may have had civilizations more advanced than Europe during the med

ieval period.