Zvongombe

Zvongombe is an archaeological site located in Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe, near the Zambezi River. It features stone enclosures from the 15th century, characteristic of the Zimbabwe Culture's dry-stone walling technique. The site is believed to have been settled around 1450, following the decline of Great Zimbabwe and the subsequent rise of the Kingdom of Mutapa. Nyatsimba Mutota, sent north by Chibatamatosi to search for salt, established the first capital of the Kingdom of Mutapa at Zvongombe. The site consists of a northern and southern enclosure, with the northern one showing limited evidence of extensive use. The southern enclosure is roughly rectangular and extends southwest, with rock shelters located beneath a low cliff to the west. Zvongombe's significance lies in its role as a capital and a connection to the broader Zimbabwe Culture heritage.