The Great Zimbabwe: A Stone City Without a King

This episode of Religion and Empire takes us to southern Africa, to the ruins of Great Zimbabwe — a massive stone city built without mortar, at the heart of a medieval trading empire. Lucas and Luna explore how this civilization flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries, controlling gold and ivory routes that reached as far as China. They discuss the mystery of its decline, the role of the Mwari cult in legitimizing rulers, and the painful legacy of colonial archaeologists who refused to believe Africans built it. Along the way, they examine the conical tower, the Great Enclosure, and the bird-like soapstone carvings that may have represented royal ancestors. No single king's name survives from Great Zimbabwe, but the walls still stand — a silent testament to a sophisticated society. This episode covers the Shona people, the Munhumutapa Empire, the Portuguese encounters, and the enduring controversy over who built the city. #GreatZimbabwe #Shona #Munhumutapa #Mwari #StoneCity #ZimbabweRuins #AfricanHistory #GoldTrade #IndianOceanTrade #ConicalTower #SoapstoneBirds #ColonialArchaeology #MedievalAfrica #AncientEmpires #FexingoHistory #ReligionAndEmpire #History #WorldHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo