The Great Zimbabwe

The Great Zimbabwe area covers about 100 acres, and included in it are three main sections: the Hill ruin, the Great Enclosure, and the area between the two. The Hill ruin stood on a hill and was used by the upper class: the king, nobles and the clergy. Stone walls surrounded the hill ruin, to indicate that they were separate from the common people. The Great Enclosure's use is not clear to use. Some archeologists believe that it was used as a school. The Great Enclosure is of the most stunning of the three areas. It is covered by walls that stand 20-33 feet high, and measure 15 feet at the base. The walls are made of rocks that were quarried nearby. Since the rock split naturally (and sometimes the natives burned them and then poured cold water on them to split them faster) then the walls were constructed with no mortar.

The third area is between the Hill ruin and the Great Enclosure, and this is where the common people lived. A population for The Great Zimbabwe is estimated to be 1,000 to 2,500, but some archeologist believe that once it attained up to 18,000 inhabitants. The common people farmed and worked in the mines for a living.

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