At the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, you can explore the remnants of the former capital of the great Monomotapa Empire, which reached its climax from 1000AD to 1400AD. The Great Enclosure, pictured above and below, is the largest ancient structure in southern Africa. The enclosure is almost 100 meters across and 255 meters in circumference. The walls are 11 meters high in places and up to 5 meters thick. The prevailing theory is that this structure was used as a royal compound. Unfortunately, treasure hunters removed most artifacts that would confirm this theory.

One of the most extraordinary features of the Great Enclosure is the Conical Tower, seen above. Reaching 10 meters high and 5 meters wide at the base, the tower has no open spaces inside from what archeologists can ascertain. The purpose for this tower is somewhat of a mystery since treature hunters have long since removed the decorations that once adorned its top.