New Technology in Great Zimbabwe During the Iron Age

Introduction

Great Zimbabwe is called the African Iron Age Capital because of the great contributions brought about by the new technology compared to other settlements in the 11^th – 15^th century. Great Zimbabwe is known as “the cultural landscape carriers, arguably, one of the most extensive and diverse records of iron production technologies in South Africa.”[1]. Notably, the name Zimbabwe has a meaning in the Shona language as the “house of stone.” Most people living in Zimbabwe have an ancestral origin of the Shona people. Before the country gained independence in 1980, it was referred to as Rhodesia. Scholars have been skeptical in the past to acknowledge that the Southern region of Africa has adopted the new technological advancement. The country became the Iron Age capital because it started the iron production process as early as the 11^th century before the introduction of technology in the 12^th century but was fully actualized in the 16^th century. However, archeological research and discoveries by scientists and European explorers show that the region had adopted new technology during its Iron Age period.[2]. The archeological findings and discoveries provide the basis for researching the significance of the new technology in the development of Great Zimbabwe. Therefore, the paper will seek to analyze how the new technology during the Iron Age help the development of Great Zimbabwe better in the 11^th -15^th century. It will show the thematic issues that made Great Zimbabwe better.

Background

Research shows that the use of technological advancement in the Iron Age dates back to the early second millennium AD. During the ages, Great Zimbabwe was part of the archeological sites that experienced the technological wave. According to Mtetwa (2017), technological advancement was evident “at the peak between the 12^th and 16^th century AD.”[3]. Thus, it shows that technological advancement from the 12^th century was subsequently better than in the 11^th century. However, the success of the technological advancement was evident at the end of the 15 century after the Shona society understood how to use the technological advancement. According to Mtetwa (2017), the discoveries that point to the roles played by technology after the 15^th century in iron production were discovered in the 1890s. Thus, it shows that it took time before archeologists, explorers, and scientists discovered the technological advancement in ancient times in Great Zimbabwe.

Scholars and scientists were skeptical about addressing the existence of technological use in ancient times. Thus, the earliest literature on the use of technology in Great Zimbabwe needed to be expanded. However, archeological evidence has been significant in identifying the existence of the shaft furnace that signals the existence of iron production, dating back more than 1500 years. Some of the evidence was located between the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers. Others that were associated with trade were located towards the North of Zambezi. Further, archeological reports showed the existence of iron remains in most of the southern corridor countries, including Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. The contradiction of the scholars on the existence of evidence that technology was used in the past within Great Zimbabwe prompted the physical visits by archeologists to the various sites that were believed to play host to iron production in the past. The sites include the Baranda, Bondlfi, Swartkrans, Boroma, and Veza, among other areas suspected to have been involved in iron production and trade, including nearby areas. The findings of the site visitations are captured in the literature review to understand the role played by technology during the Iron Age in developing Great Zimbabwe.

Literature Review

Early archeological site visits to the physical landscape of the regions that facilitated iron production in Zimbabwe show that technology was in play. Research by Mtetwa (2021) highlights that preview of the Great Zimbabwe archeological sites that are located southern region of the Zimbabwe plateau. The mountains and the physical terrains within Great Zimbabwe’s regions depicted evidence of ironstones. According to the archeological study, “these iron-rich ores sustained pre-industrial iron metal-lurgy in the area.”[4]. The show of the pre-industrial iron metallurgy is evidence that the ancient people living in Great Zimbabwe took part in iron production and trade. Other regions, including the areas of Bondolfi, showed evidence of the existence of gold mines due to the presence of gold deposits in the sites still mined to date. A German explorer, Carl Mauch revealed that the regions within Great Zimbabwe had evidence of holes and physical disturbance of the mountains and land which shows that there was mining or processing which took place in the past in the area. The visits to the various cities showed iron-related activities that took place in a specific place in ancient times. Therefore, it is evident that iron production and trading took place in Great Zimbabwe.

Literature on the findings from the archeological sites believed to have played host to iron production was significant in understanding the role of new technology. Research by Mtetwa (2017) on different archeological sites shows that technology was applied in several ways to extract and produce metals during the Iron Age era. Notably, most of the extraction sites visible today are within the urban cities illustrating that the activities during those ancient times were significant in developing specific regions. Metals were extracted in the form of tag slag, draft furnaces, and rectangular furnace design, which were substantial in informing the archeologist about technology’s role in establishing Great Zimbabwe. Zambezi and Mashava sites where tap slag was showed how technology was utilized in production. According to the author, “the presence of large natural draft furnaces in the Chigaramboni hills, Mashava, Boroma, Mutevedzi, and Veza sites represents a significant change in technology.”[5]. The change in the technology from the old model that was used from the 11^th to 15^th century boosted the region’s economic, social, and political status. Thus, the country could increase its production units because of the efficacy provided by the new technology.

Further, the technological advancement during Iron Age facilitated the growth in trade and operations. Mtetwa (2017) explains that “the coveted iron from the interior southern Africa traded along the Mozambican Coast during AI Idrisi’s visit in 1154 derived from the iron industry of the great Zimbabwe”[6]. The literature shows that technological development facilitated regional trade growth. Notably, the finance production was done pumping the bellows, an advanced method that was “driven by air sucked in at the base as buoyant hot air rises through the chimney compared to the earlier operations. The production of furnaces in the early 11^th century used the mechanical forced draft technology used to pump the bellows. Therefore, the former used less energy than what was used in pushing the bellows, reducing the hours used in production. Thus, every person in society, including women, could participate in the production process rather than rely on men because of the energy needed. Therefore, societal participation in the production unit prompted significant unity in increasing production for trade.

World archeological conferences have referred to the Iron Age activities as more of a social than a technical aspect. During the Eighth World archeological Congress in Kyoto, Japan compelled more research into the social aspects of the metal presence in Africa. The conference aimed to analyze the roles of metals in societies’ development. The conference “called for discussion on multiple issues embedded in social archaeometallurgy.”[7]Reflected on the early push by the mining conference held in Lake Como, Italy. During the conference, the participants made a rallying call to the scientist and the archeologist to delve into the metal mining issue among communities as a social phenomenon. Research shows that the metal or iron mining era developed society socially because both the communities participating in the metal works included men and women.

Further, research by Chirikure shows that the presence of metal production and trade facilitated the development of Great Zimbabwe politically. According to the author Africa received little attention from the international community and the non-African archeologist. At the start of this paper, we acknowledged that scholars were skeptical of recording or documenting the existence of iron ores in Africa. However, the archeological and comparative historical data analysis shows that Africa was under reconfiguration and configuration of its economic and political system. The research concludes that iron has a worldview interest because of its value. Thus, iron production and trading was an African identity that gave the African leaders the limelight of being recognized by a powerful nation. This would create a power structure where the traders, archeologists, explorers, and those who wished to do business would have to meet with the Great Zimbabwe leaders. Thus, it allowed for the negotiation, creation, and institutionalization of political power. Therefore, Great Zimbabwe was aided by the expansion of iron production and trading caused by technological advancements.[8].

Discussion

The new technology during the Iron Age was significant in promoting industrial activities. Literature shows that the new technology led to the establishment of Great Zimbabwe as a hub of socio-political transformations. Notably, the iron works prompted the community members to participate in social activities and production where both members of the society, including men and women, were iron producers. Thus, they could produce materials and participate in everyday activities, significantly developing great Zimbabwe. Notably, archeological sites revealed the existence of large-scale industrial iron production signifying the technical works that facilitated the development of Great Zimbabwe. Technology was used in metal extraction, processing, and novel design in slap slagging obtained from the Zambezi River.[9]. However, another production process, categorized as domestic extraction, took place within the settlements where every person could access and participate in the activities. Therefore, the literature evidence shows that the new technology was utilized to decentralize the production process and increase the significant industrial activities in the Great Zimbabwe development.

Further, the production process during the Iron Age contributed to increased trade activities and Great Zimbabwe’s economic boost. The adoption of decentralized methods of production due to the widespread use of technology means that Great Zimbabwe was a hub of production, attracting global trade. Early-age explorers acknowledged that the trade prevalence was increasing in Southern Africa because of the innovations and adoption of new technology for production. The production at extraction sites and household levels attracted an extensive trade network. Thus, the attraction of the global trade network became the foundation for the country’s economic boost. Research on ancient trade history shows that most Southern African countries participated in trade which was a major economic boost and a driver for stability and development. Relatively, the trade practice that originated from ancient times has culminated in being the solution to the collapsing economy of Great Zimbabwe in the 21^st century. Thus, it shows that the foundation in ancient times sustains the country to date.[10].

Further, the Iron Age period shaped the social and political framework of Great Zimbabwe. Notably, iron technology facilitated all genders to participate in the production. Women conducted production domestically. Literature shows that the “female chief negotiated her way into iron production usually viewed as a male domain. The advancement aided the penetration of technology in society. Thus, women deemed weak were aware and able to contribute to the production processes. Notably, the new technology equipped everyone with skills and knowledge to facilitate the production process. Thus, the Iron Age’s technological advancement improved the social status of the people because they participated in trade and other economic-oriented activities. Some of the literature suggests that technological advancement led to the establishment of urban cities that became the hub for the trade of the products produced. Additionally, the new technology contributed to the political and environmental system development. The political system was developed to protect Great Zimbabwe’s resources and establishment of structures that would facilitate smooth trade. The political leadership negotiated and provided an enabling environment that would befit the production and trade with other nations.[11].

Conclusion

In conclusion, new technology was a significant element in the development of Great Zimbabwe during the Iron Age. Notably, iron production’s prevalence positioned the country and the Shona community on the map of the world because of its value. Also, I was not the expectation of the scholars that a country deep in Africa would utilize technology in its mining and iron production. However, archeological research and visits show that Great Zimbabwe used new technology during the pre-colonial period. The success associated with using the new technology was not recognizable at the time because of the limited research methods. However, the outcome of the research that took place in the recent past show that the new technology use had an impact on the development of Great Zimbabwe. Some iconic developments include increased industrial activities due to the production process within the mining sites and domestically. Further, Great Zimbabwe became established in trade because the new technology enabled the producers to increase output. Lastly, technology promoted the socio-political aspects of society because the increase in the economy was significant for establishing a stable society. The research is wide and may not be completed within one research paper. There is a need to research the situation of the Great Zimbabwe infrastructure and the role played by the colonizers after knowing of the existence of such a significant resource.

References

Chirikure, S. (2007). Metals in society: Iron production and its position in Iron Age communities of southern Africa. Journal of Social Archaeology, 7(1), 72-100. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469605307073164

Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History). https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1162620/FULLTEXT01.pdf

Hirst, K. K. (2019, May 30). The Great Stone House of Shona Ancestors: Great Zimbabwe. ThoughtCo. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.thoughtco.com/great-zimbabwe-african-iron-age-capital-171118

Mtetwa, E. (2021). Diversity and Variability in the Pre-industrial Iron-Smelting Technologies of Great Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. In Africa, the Cradle of Human Diversity (pp. 148-176). Brill. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/52526/9789004500228.pdf?sequence=1#page=158

[1] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).

[2] Hirst, K. K. (2019, May 30). The Great Stone House of Shona Ancestors: Great Zimbabwe. ThoughtCo. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.thoughtco.com/great-zimbabwe-african-iron-age-capital-171118

[3] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).

[4] Mtetwa, E. (2021). Diversity and Variability in the Pre-industrial Iron-Smelting Technologies of Great Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. In Africa, the Cradle of Human Diversity (pp. 148-176). Brill.

[5] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).

[6] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).

[7] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).

[8] Chirikure, S. (2007). Metals in society: Iron production and its position in Iron Age communities of southern Africa. Journal of Social Archaeology, 7(1), 72-100.

[9] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).

[10] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).

[11] Mtetwa, E. (2017). Technology, ideology, and environment: the social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present (Doctoral dissertation, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History).