The mysterious African city once home to 18,000 people that's been abandoned for 575 years

Just outside the city of Masvingo in southern lie the majestic ruins of Great Zimbabwe-an ancient city whose stone walls once echoed with the footsteps of kings and merchants. While much about this medieval metropolis remains mysterious, widely agree that Great Zimbabwe was a flourishing centre of trade and governance, with connections stretching as far as Asia and the Middle East. Yet, by the mid-15th century, this grand city had been mysteriously abandoned.

The origins of Great Zimbabwe in trace back to the Gokomere culture, forebears of the modern . Though the region was inhabited as early as the 4th century CE, construction of the stone structures began in earnest during the 11th century and continued for nearly 300 years. The civilisation farmed close to 2,000 acres and mined local deposits of iron and gold, which likely formed the backbone of its wealth.

At its peak, the city sprawled across nearly 720 hectares (about 1,780 acres) and may have housed up to 18,000 residents. It was divided into three architectural complexes: the Hill Complex, the Valley Complex, and the Great Enclosure.

The Hill Complex, built atop a granite outcrop, is the oldest part of the ruins and likely served a spiritual or political function. The Valley Complex, a densely populated area with mud-brick houses, accommodated much of the population. Meanwhile, the Great Enclosure-a massive dry-stone structure, some walls of which reach 11 meters (36 feet) in height-likely served as a royal residence or .

Built without mortar, the walls of Great Zimbabwe stand as a testament to the advanced stonemasonry techniques of its builders. The site's most iconic structure, a conical tower within the Great Enclosure, is believed by some to have functioned as a granary, a symbol of power and prosperity.

Artefacts unearthed at the site include ceramics, iron tools, bronze spearheads, gold ornaments, and intricate ivory carvings. Trade goods from as far as China, Persia, and India have also been found, underscoring Great Zimbabwe's role in a vast transcontinental trade network.

Gold and ivory were major exports, with some estimates suggesting up to 20 million ounces of gold may have been extracted from nearby mines during the city's height.

Among the most culturally significant finds are soapstone bird sculptures-stylised figures that closely resemble the Zimbabwe Bird featured on the country's flag and coat of arms. These birds are thought to represent ancestral spirits or serve as symbols of authority and continue to hold deep national significance today.

The ruins were first documented by a European in 1531, when Portuguese explorer Viçente Pegado encountered them and described "a fortress built of stones of marvelous size... with no mortar joining them," noting its impressive scale and construction. However, later colonial-era interpretations distorted the site's history.

In 1871, German explorer Karl Mauch wrongly theorised that Great Zimbabwe was linked to the biblical Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, claiming it was too sophisticated to have been built by Africans-an assertion rooted in colonial-era racism, now thoroughly debunked.

Despite its former glory, Great Zimbabwe was largely abandoned around 1450 CE. Scholars believe that a combination of environmental degradation, depletion of gold resources, overpopulation, and shifting trade routes contributed to the city's decline. The rise of new regional powers like the Mutapa Empire, which expanded into parts of present-day Zimbabwe and , likely drew influence and people away from Great Zimbabwe.

Looting and neglect plagued the site during colonial rule, with many artefacts removed or destroyed before proper archaeological research could be conducted. Yet in 1986, UNESCO designated Great Zimbabwe a , recognising its importance as a cultural and historical treasure.