Architectures of Great Zimbabwe and Aksum--Ethiopia

Constructed of granite slabs. Oldest monumental stone structure south of the Sahara

1000-520 B.P (1000-1480AD).

Consists of a series of walls and towers. Massive stone masonry, without mortar.

Herringbone design patterns,Triangular patterns

Checkerboard designsIncluding numerous colored stones

Other objects from the site includeBird pillars, fragments of stone platters and ivory

figurines

Site might have been inhabited from about 300 AD,Although the great enclosure was constructed from the 10th-16th cent.

There are three main buildings: elliptical building/temple

Tall conical towerSmall stone tower and a mass of stone work from other buildings

Possibly a royal Palace of a divine King—Monomotapa

Iron working culture; reputed for their great mines in gold, iron and copper

A view of the valley ruin and the Great enclosure

Reconstructed entrance into the Great Zimbabwe

Staircase into the enclosure

Tower of the Great Zimbabwe

Outer wall and entrance, the Great Zimbabwe

Inside the grounds of the Great enclosure

Ruins of the Eastern enclosure

Bird with upturned face,Great Zimbabwe,Stone

One of three birds,Great Zimbabwe

Two Leopards, Ivory ornaments, Great Zimbabwe

Fragment of stone platter with animal imagery, Great Zimbabwe

Fragments with abstract motifs, Great Zimbabwe

Carved stone figurine,Great Zimbabwe

Aksum—Ethiopia

Empire ranked as one of the greatest Empires of all timeBy 1st half of the 1st millennium C.E, it had:

An extensive maritime tradeCoinage,

Written inscriptions and LiteratureChristian faith

Juxtaposition of timber frame works with stone masonry

Windows and doors were supported by framework of triangular timber

Friezes of windows and timber panels were constructed high above the nave

Painted vaulted ceilings might have been inspired by Byzantine art

Rock-cut churches

Beta Madhane Alemi, Lalibela, largest of rock cut churches, has a nave and four aisles and surrounded by a colonnade of plain square pillars

Monastery of the Old Church at Debre Damo, Aksumite Peoples, Ethiopia

Interior of Enda Kidana Mehrat,Debra Zion,Domes apparently cut from solidRocks with Byzantine influencesPainting derive from a long traditionof indigenous decoration which continuestoday in the metal processional crosses

Interior of Imraha KristosWith Aksumite geometric and interlacePattern in the imitation of carving

Part of the ceiling with panels portraying natural history of the terrestrial world