Mia Kilkeary

AP Art History

Mrs. Tiedeman

Weebly Newspaper Article

Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe

Title: Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe

Location: Zimbabwe, Africa

Date: 11th century

Period: African Iron Age

Artist/Patron: The Shonas People

Medium: Course, granite blocks

History: Great Zimbabwe was constructed and expanded for more than 300 years in a local style
that produced flowing curves. The walls were constructed from granite blocks gathered from the
exposed rock of the surrounding hills. Great Zimbabwe served as a fortress city that housed up
to 18,000 people. It was a booming economic center and the first link to trade with Europe for
these people. The city was known as the Great City. Great Zimbabwe caused the Europeans to
have issues with these people since they wanted to believe black people, who they viewed as
inferior, were not capable of developing advanced civilizations.

Formal Elements: The Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe exhibits flowing curves in its
architecture. Conical Tower gives an element of shape with its cylindrical form. In addition,
straight, horizontal line is present in the walls where the stone placement is present. The blocks
of stone also provide an element of pattern and the grainy granite provides a rough appearing
texture.