Archaeological science, globalisation, and local agency: gold in Great Zimbabwe

New archaeological evidence from Great Zimbabwe (CE1000–1600) reveals that gold processing was far more sophisticated and locally driven than previously believed. Excavations uncovered over a hundred ceramic vessels—reused pottery and purpose-made crucibles—used for high-temperature gold refining, likely producing standardized ingots and finished objects. Compositional analysis (SEM-EDS) of gold prills embedded in slag confirms the use of unalloyed gold with varying silver impurities, suggesting diverse local sources. This challenges oversimplified narratives of globalization by demonstrating that Great Zimbabwe’s participation in trans-African and Indian Ocean trade was underpinned by improvisational, locally driven production and consumption across its settlements. The study integrates findings from excavations, microscopic analysis, and historical records to argue for a more nuanced understanding of the site’s role in global exchanges.

Vieri, J., Chirikure, S., Lane, P., & Martinón-Torres, M. (2023). Archaeological science, globalisation, and local agency: gold in Great Zimbabwe. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 15(8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-023-01811-7