Media Category: Africa 2024 - Zimbabwe

The Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe ruins are some of the oldest and largest structures located in Southern Africa. Construction of the stone buildings started in the 11th century and continued for over 300 years.

The Hill Complex is the oldest part of Great Zimbabwe, and shows signs of construction that date to around 900 AD. The walls were constructed using dry-stone masonry techniques, which involved carefully stacking and shaping the granite blocks without the use of mortar. Also, about 70 percent of the walls are original. (Oct. 28, 2024)

The Hill Complex is the oldest part of Great Zimbabwe, and shows signs of construction that date to around 900 AD. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Views from the Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Me at the stone entryway of the Hill Complex, the oldest part of the Great Zimbabwe. The Hill Complex is the oldest part of Great Zimbabwe, and shows signs of construction that date to around 900 AD. Also, about 70 percent of the dry unmonitored walls are original. (Oct. 28, 2024)

The stoned entryway of the Great Zimbabwe’s Hill Complex. (Oct. 28, 2024)

The Hill Complex is the oldest, and was occupied from the 11th to 13th centuries. The boulders were formed under volcanic eruptions. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Another stone doorway into another section a top of the Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe. Once the royal home for the kings ruling here in East and South Africa. (Oct. 28, 2024)

The thatched roof area of the Great Zimbabwe’s Hill Complex, was once the kitchen area of the complex. This in-ground cooking area is original to the complex. (Oct. 28, 2024)

The thatched roof area of the Great Zimbabwe’s Hill Complex, was once the kitchen area of the complex. This in-ground cooking area is original to the complex. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Views of the Great Enclosure while climbing up to the Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe. The Great Enclosure was occupied from the 13th to 15th centuries, and the Valley Complex from the 14th to 16th centuries. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Views of the Great Enclosure while climbing up to the Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe. The Great Enclosure was occupied from the 13th to 15th centuries, and the Valley Complex from the 14th to 16th centuries. (Oct. 28, 2024)

A top of the Hill Complex where the kings resided in the Great Zimbabwe. (Oct. 28, 2024)

A top of the Hill Complex where the kings who ruled East and South Africa resided in the Great Zimbabwe. I am just beaming right now. Ever since I saw the Henry Louise Gates, Jr.’s 6-part “Africa’s Great Civilizations,” and the architectural and historical beauty of the Great Zimbabwe, I’ve been utterly intrigued to see it for myself. And now, I’m actually standing a top the Hill Complex and I couldn’t feel more grateful! The boulders were formed under volcanic eruptions. (Oct. 28, 2024)

A royal home for the kings ruling here in East and South Africa at the top of the Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe with a stone doorway entrance into another section of this complex. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Getting in a selfie with Steven, our Great Zimbabwe guide at the top of the Hill Complex. A royal home for the kings ruling here in East and South Africa. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Views from the top of the Hill Complex at the Great Zimbabwe. The thatched roof area was once the kitchen area of the complex. (Oct. 28, 2024)

A top the Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe in the area where the kings who ruled the East and South of area once ruled. (Oct. 28, 2024)

Me, a top the Hill Complex of the Great Zimbabwe in the area where the kings who ruled the East and South of area once ruled. (Oct. 28, 2024)