Test on Great Zimbabwe: Ancient African Urbanism

Question 1: The study materials include a plan of the excavated Pueblo I hamlet 29SJ 724.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Figure 11.7 in the study materials describes '29SJ 724, a Pueblo I hamlet in Chaco Canyon excavated by the NPS Chaco Project' but does not explicitly label it as a 'plan'. Other figures detailing site layouts are explicitly titled with the term 'Plan of...' or 'Plan view of...'.

Question 2: According to the study materials, which iconographic elements are depicted in the sculptures at Cerro Sechín?

A. Chiefly personages

B. Symbols of war captives

C. Dismembered arms

D. Astronomical alignments

Explanation: Figures 10.11 and 10.12 describe sculptures at Cerro Sechín depicting chiefly personages, with Figure 10.11 specifically noting 'symbols of war captives.' Figure 10.13 shows 'dismembered arms.' Astronomical alignments are not mentioned in relation to Cerro Sechín sculptures in the provided text.

Question 3: Great Zimbabwe maintained extensive long-distance trading networks that extended to the Far East and the Persian Gulf.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Great Zimbabwe had extensive regional and long-distance trading networks with central Africa, the Indian Ocean coast, the Persian Gulf, India, and the Far East.

Question 4: According to recent recalibration and Bayesian modelling of radiocarbon dates, which statements accurately describe the chronology of the Great Zimbabwe site?

A. The settlement was limited to a period from the late thirteenth to mid-fifteenth centuries.

B. The site was settled from the eleventh century AD and remained continuously occupied until the late sixteenth or early seventeenth centuries.

C. The Hill Complex flourished between approximately AD 1100 and 1280, while the Great Enclosure flourished between AD 1225 and 1380.

D. The earliest palace complex was located in the Valley prior to the Hill Complex.

Explanation: Recent recalibration and Bayesian modelling indicate a much longer settlement for Great Zimbabwe, starting from the eleventh century AD and continuing up to the late sixteenth/early seventeenth centuries, making option 1 correct. The Bayesian modelling also specifically states that the Hill Complex flourished between approximately AD 1100 and 1280, and the Great Enclosure between AD 1225 and 1380, making option 2 correct. Option 0 describes the limited settlement argued by Huffman and Vogel, which is contrasted by the recent recalibration. Option 3 is incorrect as dating suggests the earliest palace complex existed on the Hill, and later moved to the Great Enclosure and the valley.

Question 5: Did Great Zimbabwe's hilly location and surroundings indicate that its micro-watersheds were largely unaffected by intense construction activity?

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Great Zimbabwe’s hilly location and surroundings pointed to a constricted catchment and highly impaired micro-watersheds due to intense construction activity, especially towards and within the core of the settlement.