Technology, ideology and environment. The social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present

Iron metallurgy at Great Zimbabwe (AD 900–present) reflects complex social dynamics intertwined with ideology and environmental adaptation. The study reveals that technological advancements, such as the development of sophisticated furnaces, were not merely about efficiency but also served to reinforce political hierarchies and cultural identity. These practices evolved in response to shifting environmental conditions, including resource availability, demonstrating a dynamic interplay between human ingenuity and ecological constraints. Through archaeological analysis—including residue studies on tools, furnace structures, and oral histories—the research reconstructs how metallurgical traditions persisted despite colonial disruption, highlighting their resilience and enduring significance.

Mtetwa, E. (2018). Technology, ideology and environment. The social dynamics of iron metallurgy in Great Zimbabwe, AD 900 to the present. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa, 53(1), 133. https://doi.org/10.1080/0067270x.2018.1440959