Either way, archeological investigation has shown that the edifice's monumental walls did once enclose houses. Great Zimbabwe was a city, home at its heyday to some 12,000 to 20,000 people.

Africa's hidden city was built in the 11th century when it served as a royal palace and a thriving trading hub.

Mauch was looking at the greatest pre-Portuguese ruins of sub-Saharan Africa. The highest of Great Zimbabwe's walls soar 32 feet above the surrounding savanna. Unfortunately, Mauch, for all his ...