Q 01/05

Which people's ancestors built Great Zimbabwe?

A) Shona

B) Ndebele

C) Zulu

D) Swahili

Answer · why

A) Shona

The Karanga, a south-central Shona group, are considered the direct builders.

Q 02/05

Near which modern Zimbabwean city do the ruins stand?

A) Masvingo

B) Bulawayo

C) Mutare

D) Harare

Answer · why

A) Masvingo

The city carried a colonial name honouring Queen Victoria until 1982.

Q 03/05

What distinction does Great Zimbabwe hold in southern Africa?

A) Highest settlement above sea level

B) Largest precolonial stone structure

C) First gold mine south of the Zambezi

D) Oldest continuously occupied city

Answer · why

B) Largest precolonial stone structure

The stone city spans 7.22 square kilometres.

Q 04/05

From which century did Great Zimbabwe serve as a kingdom's capital?

A) 9th

B) 11th

C) 12th

D) 13th

Answer · why

D) 13th

Settlement began around 1000 AD; the site was abandoned in the 16th or 17th century.

Q 05/05

What binds the blocks of Great Zimbabwe's walls together?

A) Nothing at all

B) Mud daub

C) Iron clamps

D) Lime mortar

Answer · why

A) Nothing at all

The Great Enclosure's walls rise without any mortar.