What was the population of Great Zimbabwe (CE1000 – 1800)?

Archaeological research challenges the long-held assumption that Great Zimbabwe, one of Africa's most iconic settlements, supported a population of 20,000 at its peak. By integrating archaeological, ethnographic, and historical evidence with ecological and statistical modeling, the study concludes that the total population across its 800-year occupation (CE1000–1800) likely did not exceed 10,000 people. This revised estimate is supported by the absence of megamiddens, chronological differences in settlement phases, and historical records indicating low populations in southern Africa between CE1600 and 1950. The findings reshape our understanding of Great Zimbabwe's demographic scale and its role as a trade hub linking southern Africa to global networks.

Chirikure, S., Moultrie, T., Bandama, F., Dandara, C., & Manyanga, M. (2017). What was the population of Great Zimbabwe (CE1000 – 1800)? Plos One, 12(6), e0178335. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178335