The Lost Cities of Southern Africa: Great Zimbabwe and Kilwa Kisiwani

🏰Great Zimbabwe was a magnificent ancient city built by native Africans and served as the center of a rich trading kingdom.

🕌Kilwa Kisiwani was a stone town built in coral by Islamic traders and played a crucial role in the trade between the coast and the interior.

💰Both cities were prosperous and engaged in extensive trade, importing luxury goods from India, China, and Arabia.

🗺️Great Zimbabwe and Kilwa Kisiwani were part of a larger network of ancient cities in southern Africa, testifying to a widespread and long-lasting culture.

⚖️The discovery of these cities challenges the outdated belief that Africans lacked the sophistication to build such remarkable structures.

Who built Great Zimbabwe?

—Great Zimbabwe was built by native Africans who established a thriving trading kingdom from the 11th to the 15th centuries.

What made Kilwa Kisiwani an important city?

—Kilwa Kisiwani was a crucial Islamic trading hub that connected the coastal regions with the interior, facilitating extensive trade and bringing prosperity to the region.

What were the major trading goods of these cities?

—The major trading goods included ivory, gold, luxury items from India, China, and Arabia, and local products like pottery and metalwork.

Are there any other similar ancient cities in southern Africa?

—Yes, there are over 200 other ancient cities in the region, showcasing a rich and long-lasting culture in southern Africa.

What does the discovery of these cities tell us about ancient African civilizations?

—The discovery of Great Zimbabwe and Kilwa Kisiwani challenges the outdated belief that Africans lacked the sophistication to build remarkable structures, highlighting the prosperous and advanced civilizations that existed in ancient Africa.

01:22German American big-game hunter Adam Render discovered the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a magnificent ancient city crafted in expertly worked stone.

03:19Kilwa Kisiwani, a stone town built in coral, was an important Islamic trading hub and known for its impressive architecture.

08:15Great Zimbabwe and Kilwa Kisiwani were part of a vast trade network that imported luxury goods from distant regions.

11:41The Swahili, a bantu-speaking group, formed urbanized Islamic communities along the East African coast.

14:44The ruined city of Kilwa Kisiwani, a stone town built in coral, was a prosperous trading hub.

16:24Trade links between the coastal regions and the interior of southern Africa existed for centuries.

17:12The trade between the coast and the interior was facilitated by the port city of Raptor.

18:33The discovery of many retained artifacts reveals the sophisticated trade networks and cultures in ancient Africa.