The Pre-Colonial Stonewalled Structures of Zimbabwe

This book provides a comprehensive guide to pre-colonial stone-walled structures known as zimbabwes. These denote prestige buildings characterized by refined masonry and patterned wall decorations, distinguishing them from numerous coarse stone constructions. Over 300 such sites are documented within Zimbabwe, with additional examples in Botswana, South Africa, and Mozambique. Recent evidence from southern Angola suggesting a broader regional distribution. The word Zimbabwe has historical roots adapted to refer to a specific typology of stone walls and to distinguish them from the rest of low-grade buildings numbering several hundred. In the 16th century, it denoted royal and chiefly stone-built settlements, and figuratively to imply the presence there of such important political figures. In this guide, zimbabwe (lower case and in italics) refers to stone walls whereas in upper case to Great Zimbabwe or Zimbabwe the country.  As the most substantial immovable remains of the pre-colonial past, these sites hold exceptional historical and cultural value. In a post-colonial state, they provide tangible evidence of continuity between indigenous societies and their heritage. Their importance extends to represent a legacy for future generations and are embedded in religious and cosmological practices that shape collective identities. This book serves both as a descriptive inventory supporting heritage conservation, and as an accessible reference for scholarly and public engagement, locally and internationally. Edward Matenga is a Heritage expert and archaeologist. Principal Researcher and Director at Archaeological and Heritage Service Africa (Pty Ltd). PhD in Archaeology and Heritage, Uppsala University (Sweden). Past Director of Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site 1998-2004. Participated in several UNESCO and ICOMOS missions in Africa. Has authored several books and articles in scientific journals on Heritage management. Anders Lindahl is a Professor in laboratory and experimental archaeology, specialized in the different phases of the ceramic handicraft and settlement pattern. Head of the Laboratory for Ceramic Research, dept. of Geology, Lund University and Lead researcher at the Ceramics Technology Laboratory, University of Pretoria. Since 1988 Involved in various projects in South, South-Eastern and Western Africa.