Modelling Water Use at Great Zimbabwe

Musindo, Tendai Treddah

doi:10.30861/9781407353975

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…This project looked at the role of water in the development and demise of Great Zimbabwe. This project was comprised of local and international researchers with an interest in the history of people and water interaction (see Musindo, 2019;Pikirayi et al, 2016). Other members took part in a project that was instigated by a consortium of researchers from the University of Cape Town who explored ancient materials, craft production and technologies associated with the ancient inhabitants of Great Zimbabwe (Bandama et al, 2016).…”

Section: Main Research Interestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

When theory meets praxis – enhancing heritage management through practice-led research at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage property

Thondhlana,

Mukwende,

Machiridza

et al. 2023

JCHMSD

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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline and reflect on the new research agenda for the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage property. This research agenda was jointly developed by academics and practitioners from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) and the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) respectively. This Research-Practice Team was put together for the Heritage Place Lab (HPL), a pilot project of the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership programme.Design/methodology/approachA series of steps were undertaken to come up with research priorities and a new research agenda that are presented in this paper. The HPL project involved online workshops, due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, that were held between September 2021 and April 2022. The HPL methodology involved six assignments that were based on the Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0 (EOH) which was being designed by UNESCO and its Advisory Bodies. This toolkit encouraged the team to establish site-specific management issues and research needs. The toolkit helped the team to have a detailed appreciation of the site's Outstanding Universal Value as well as other heritage values of national and local importance. The toolkit also involved the mapping of site attributes and multiple actors as well as the analysis of governance and legal frameworks. The toolkit also required the team to identify factors affecting the heritage property.FindingsThe Research-Practice Team highlighted challenges that resulted from the legacy of ill-informed research activities and conservation efforts at the World Heritage property. It became more apparent that the site managers were prioritizing the physical fabric of the site at the expense of the spiritual aspects. Lack of coordination among the actors was also undermining the governance structure. Four thematic strands which included local values and intangible cultural heritage elements; heritage governance; climate change and environmental sustainability and incorporation of local knowledge systems were identified for further research.Originality/valueThe paper is an outcome of collaborative efforts that were done by academics and practitioners. Researchers and site managers at Great Zimbabwe had hitherto worked in silos. The majority of previous and ongoing research on the World Heritage property falls short of addressing the dire management challenges. The paper is an attempt to broaden the scope in terms of the management of the site. In the past focus has been on the monumental aspects of the site with specific reference to the dry-stone walled structures. However, in this instance, the Research-Practice Team has integrated new interests such as the intangible aspects of Great Zimbabwe, spirituality and community beneficiation.

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Section: Main Research Interestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

When theory meets praxis – enhancing heritage management through practice-led research at Great Zimbabwe World Heritage property

Thondhlana,

Mukwende,

Machiridza

et al. 2023

JCHMSD

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Granite Landforms and Water Storage at Great Zimbabwe

Pikirayi

2024

The Medieval History Journal

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Recent research at Great Zimbabwe (1100–1750 ad) interpreted the earthen scars or depressions located within the monumental complexes and referred to in the archaeological record as dhaka pits, as water storage facilities. Beyond these pits, I examine the broader landscape context of Great Zimbabwe to understand the site’s catchment area, which, though limited in extent, comprises a hilly terrain that allows for rapid run-off. This necessitated the harvesting and storage of water for consumption at Great Zimbabwe. The associated granite geology is part of the crystalline rocks characterising much of the Zimbabwe craton, and such geological contexts served as aquifers that also stored water that the ancient residents used. Geological research during the past two or so decades on the potential of composite or weathered-fractured rock aquifers developing within the weathered overburden calls for a deeper understanding of granite hydrogeologic properties in the context of water conservation. In this article, I demonstrate that this knowledge was already known by residents of Great Zimbabwe more than five centuries ago.

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