Mist, mermaids and urban development in medieval Africa: The making of Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe, the medieval capital of southern Africa, has captured the imagination of early travelers and scholars for centuries. A contested heritage of colonial failures and the enshrined pride of African renaissance, Great Zimbabwe was first and foremost a settlement, a home and a workplace for a thriving community of farmers, herders, spiritual leaders and rulers.
The rise and demise of southern Arica’s first state capital has long been seen as driven by external climatic or economic factors. If centuries of research have detailed its architecture, craftmanship and trade, local resource management and subsistence practices remain poorly understood.
Over the last few years, we have begun investigating the workings of Great Zimbabwe as an evolving urban landscape, its land and water resources and their management through time. Eliciting archaeological, ecological, and historical records, this seminar reframes the history of Great Zimbabwe in the light of new research results.
More about Federica Sulas
Federica is a University Lecturer in archaeology at the Department of Historical Studies, University of Gothenburg.
An archaeologist with specialisms in African studies, geoarchaeology, and landscape historical ecology, her research examines past food and water systems, urban development, and biocultural heritages in eastern and southern Africa (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia).
Current projects are exploring the application of archaeological record to inform sustainability sciences.
The seminar will be held in English. Open to the public!
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