, HSY1511 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2026 - DUE April 2026; 100% Correct solutions
and explanations.
QUESTION 1: GREAT ZIMBABWE AND THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF AFRICAN HISTORY
The archaeological evidence of Great Zimbabwe has played a crucial
role in challenging earlier Western interpretations that misrepresented
African civilisation as primitive, static, and incapable of complex state
formation. During the colonial period, European writers and explorers
deliberately denied African authorship of Great Zimbabwe, attributing
its impressive stone structures to foreign civilisations such as the
Phoenicians, Arabs, or even biblical figures.¹ These interpretations were
deeply rooted in racist assumptions that Africans were incapable of
architectural, political, or economic sophistication. Such ideas were used
to justify colonial domination by portraying Africa as a continent
without history.
However, archaeological research conducted from the mid-20th century
onwards fundamentally overturned these misconceptions. Excavations at
Great Zimbabwe revealed sophisticated dry-stone wall construction,
advanced settlement organisation, and evidence of long-distance trade
networks. Carbon dating confirmed that the site flourished between the
11th and 15th centuries, under the control of the Shona-speaking
people.² The discovery of locally produced pottery, iron tools, and
agricultural systems further confirmed indigenous development rather
than foreign construction. This evidence demonstrated that Great
Zimbabwe was not an isolated settlement but a powerful political and
economic centre.
In addition, Great Zimbabwe was deeply integrated into Indian Ocean
trade networks. Archaeological finds such as Chinese porcelain, Persian
glassware, and Arab beads indicate that the kingdom engaged in
extensive international commerce through coastal trading ports like
Semester 1 2026 - DUE April 2026; 100% Correct solutions
and explanations.
QUESTION 1: GREAT ZIMBABWE AND THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF AFRICAN HISTORY
The archaeological evidence of Great Zimbabwe has played a crucial
role in challenging earlier Western interpretations that misrepresented
African civilisation as primitive, static, and incapable of complex state
formation. During the colonial period, European writers and explorers
deliberately denied African authorship of Great Zimbabwe, attributing
its impressive stone structures to foreign civilisations such as the
Phoenicians, Arabs, or even biblical figures.¹ These interpretations were
deeply rooted in racist assumptions that Africans were incapable of
architectural, political, or economic sophistication. Such ideas were used
to justify colonial domination by portraying Africa as a continent
without history.
However, archaeological research conducted from the mid-20th century
onwards fundamentally overturned these misconceptions. Excavations at
Great Zimbabwe revealed sophisticated dry-stone wall construction,
advanced settlement organisation, and evidence of long-distance trade
networks. Carbon dating confirmed that the site flourished between the
11th and 15th centuries, under the control of the Shona-speaking
people.² The discovery of locally produced pottery, iron tools, and
agricultural systems further confirmed indigenous development rather
than foreign construction. This evidence demonstrated that Great
Zimbabwe was not an isolated settlement but a powerful political and
economic centre.
In addition, Great Zimbabwe was deeply integrated into Indian Ocean
trade networks. Archaeological finds such as Chinese porcelain, Persian
glassware, and Arab beads indicate that the kingdom engaged in
extensive international commerce through coastal trading ports like
