Skip to main content

Who built Great Zimbabwe? And why? - Breeanna Elliott

1,155,924 Views

15,831 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Stretched across a tree-peppered expanse in Southern Africa lies the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a medieval stone city of astounding wealth. Located in the present-day country of Zimbabwe, it’s the site of the second largest settlement ruins in Africa. But its history is controversial, defined by decades of dispute about who built it and why. Breeanna Elliott explores the mystery of Great Zimbabwe.

Great Zimbabwe was a major urban center in southern Africa with an estimated population of at least 18,000. What enabled Great Zimbabwe’s growth as an urban center?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Breeanna Elliott
  • Director Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Producer Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Senior Animator Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Animator Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Editor Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Compositor Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Art Director Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Designer Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Storyboard Artist Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Illustrator Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Character Designer Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Composer Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Sound Designer Jody Ghani Nordby
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki

More from The World's People and Places