Great Zimbabwe

European Theories

The ruins of Great Zimbabwe, located near Masvingo, were initially misunderstood by European explorers who couldn't believe they were built by native Africans. Early explorers like Antonio Fernandez and Karl Mauch attributed the site to biblical figures and foreign civilizations, reflecting a common 19th-century tendency to find biblical connections in archaeological finds 1. Mauch even claimed it was a replica of the Queen of Sheba's palace, a narrative that persisted among settlers 1.

The rumor of the queen of Sheba became the predominant narrative about the site.

--- Gary Arndt

These theories were later debunked by archaeological evidence showing the civilization had extensive global contacts 2.

   

Archaeological Disputes

Professional archaeologists in the early 20th century began to challenge the outlandish theories about Great Zimbabwe's origins. British archaeologist David Randall McIver's 1905 study concluded the site was of Bantu origin, a view supported by Gertrude Canton Thomson's later work 3. Despite initial resistance, their findings have been validated by modern research, including radiometric dating, which identified five distinct periods of settlement 3.

Examination of all the existing evidence gathered from every quarter still can produce not one single item that is not in accordance with the claim of Bantu origin and medieval date.

--- Gary Arndt

These findings underscore the site's significance as a medieval Bantu civilization, contrary to earlier European misconceptions 1.