Africa's "fiercest archaeological battleground" in Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe in the late Iron Age. The Great Zimbabwe National Monument consists of the remnants of stone walls, a tower, and other structures built from the 11th century through the 15th century. Placed on the World Heritage List in 1986, the monument may represent the remains of a royal palace, although there remains disagreement over the history of construction and cultural affiliation(s) of the site. Centuries of exploitation of the site for political purposes continue today.

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Zimbabwe’s Rulers Use a Monument’s Walls to Build a Legacy

By Norimitsu Onishi

The New York Times

February 21, 2017