Part 3: The Discovery of Great Zimbabwe The Lost City of Great Zimbabwe: A Tale of Magic and Mystery

The discovery of Great Zimbabwe is shrouded in mystery and legend. It is believed that the city was first discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Portuguese explorer, Francisco de Almeida, was the first to document the existence of the city. He wrote about it in his diary, describing the city as a “great stone city” with “many towers and walls”.

The Portuguese were the first to explore the city, but they did not stay long. They were more interested in finding gold and other riches than exploring the city. As a result, they left without fully exploring the city.

In the late 19th century, Great Zimbabwe was rediscovered by British explorer, Cecil Rhodes. He was the first to explore the city in depth and he was amazed by what he found. He wrote about the city in his book, “The Last of the Great Zimbabwe”. He described the city as a “magnificent ruin” and “a wonder of the world”.

Rhodes’ exploration of the city sparked a renewed interest in the city and its history. Archaeologists soon began to explore the city and uncover its secrets. They discovered that the city was built by the Shona people in the 11th century. They also uncovered evidence of a complex and advanced civilization that had existed in the city for centuries.

The discovery of Great Zimbabwe has been a source of fascination and mystery ever since. It has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries. It is a symbol of the power and sophistication of the ancient Shona people and a reminder of the great civilizations that existed in Africa before the arrival of Europeans.