terraces of eastern Zimbabwe

years ago, I spent ten days in eastern Zimbabwe when I was recovering from an illness, and behind the mission school the hillside was terraced with rock walls. But the priests didn't know why, except to say that they were familiar with mediterranean terraces so they doubted the idea that these were ancient terraces by Mediterranean immigrants (which was a plot of one of Wilber Smith's novels). I blogged about this before, and cited the book by Bryan Fagan Elixir about the water systems of eastern Africa is found in one hstorian's book. But today I ran across there is a new book about this (but one that I can't afford on my pension) so I decided to ask Grok to summarize the theories of who built the terraces and why:

 

### Overview of the Terrace Builders of NyangaL

The "Terrace Builders of Nyanga" refers to the ancient farming communities in the Nyanga region of eastern Zimbabwe, known for their extensive stone-built agricultural terraces and homestead ruins. These structures, dating from around AD 1300 to 1800, represent a sophisticated adaptation to the challenging highland environment and have been the subject of archaeological study for over a century. The phrase is also the title of a key book by archaeologist Robert Soper (published in 2006 by Weaver Press), which synthesizes research on these ruins.

### Why Did They Build the Terraces?

The terrace builders constructed these features primarily to create viable farmland in the rugged, hilly terrain of Nyanga, where steep slopes, thin soils, and high rainfall posed significant challenges to traditional agriculture. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons, based on archaeological evidence:

- **Soil Conservation and Erosion Control**:

The Nyanga highlands experience heavy seasonal rains, which quickly erode topsoil on slopes. The stone terraces acted as retaining walls to prevent soil loss, allowing for stable, level plots for crop cultivation. This was essential for maintaining fertility in an area with rapidly depleting soils.

- **Maximizing Arable Land**: By terracing hillsides, the builders converted otherwise unusable steep land into productive fields. This expanded the available growing area, supporting a growing population over five centuries. The terraces covered thousands of kilometers across over 5,000 square kilometers, integrating crop farming with livestock herding.

- **Integrated Agricultural System**:

terraces were part of a broader system that included water furrows (ditches for irrigation from streams), pit structures for livestock (to protect animals from predators and weather), and fallowing cycles (rotating fields to restore soil nutrients). This specialization allowed for mixed farming—growing crops like grains and vegetables on terraces while raising dwarf cattle in enclosures—sustaining the community in isolation.

- **Adaptation to Environmental Challenges**: Starting on high peaks around AD 1300, settlements expanded to lowlands by AD 1800, showing how the builders exploited varied micro-environments (highlands for cooler crops, lowlands for grazing). However, the system eventually declined due to over-specialization, soil exhaustion, or external pressures like climate shifts or invasions.

These innovations highlight the ingenuity of the Nyanga people, who were likely ancestors of the modern Manyika ethnic group. Early 19th-century reports speculated wildly about the ruins (e.g., as "forts" or "Phoenician relics"), but modern archaeology, including work by the University of Zimbabwe and British Institute in Eastern Africa, confirms their agricultural purpose.### Overview of the Terrace Builders of Nyanga

The "Terrace Builders of Nyanga" refers to the ancient farming communities in the Nyanga region of eastern Zimbabwe, known for their extensive stone-built agricultural terraces and homestead ruins. These structures, dating from around AD 1300 to 1800, represent a sophisticated adaptation to the challenging highland environment and have been the subject of archaeological study for over a century. The phrase is also the title of a key book by archaeologist Robert Soper (published in 2006 by Weaver Press), which synthesizes research on these ruins.

why Did They Build the Terraces?

The terrace builders constructed these features primarily to create viable farmland in the rugged, hilly terrain of Nyanga, where steep slopes, thin soils, and high rainfall posed significant challenges to traditional agriculture. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons, based on archaeological evidence:

- **Soil Conservation and Erosion Control**:

The Nyanga highlands experience heavy seasonal rains, which quickly erode topsoil on slopes. The stone terraces acted as retaining walls to prevent soil loss, allowing for stable, level plots for crop cultivation. This was essential for maintaining fertility in an area with rapidly depleting soils.

- **Maximizing Arable Land**: By terracing hillsides, the builders converted otherwise unusable steep land into productive fields. This expanded the available growing area, supporting a growing population over five centuries. The terraces covered thousands of kilometers across over 5,000 square kilometers, integrating crop farming with livestock herding.

- **Integrated Agricultural System**: The terraces were part of a broader system that included water furrows (ditches for irrigation from streams), pit structures for livestock (to protect animals from predators and weather), and fallowing cycles (rotating fields to restore soil nutrients). This specialization allowed for mixed farming—growing crops like grains and vegetables on terraces while raising dwarf cattle in enclosures—sustaining the community in isolation.

- **Adaptation to Environmental Challenges**: Starting on high peaks around AD 1300, settlements expanded to lowlands by AD 1800, showing how the builders exploited varied micro-environments (highlands for cooler crops, lowlands for grazing). However, the system eventually declined due to over-specialization, soil exhaustion, or external pressures like climate shifts or invasions.

These innovations highlight the ingenuity of the Nyanga people, who were likely ancestors of the modern Manyika ethnic group. Early 19th-century reports speculated wildly about the ruins (e.g., as "forts" or "Phoenician relics"), but modern archaeology, including work by the University of Zimbabwe and British Institute in Eastern Africa, confirms their agricultural purpose.

For a deeper dive, Soper's book *The Terrace Builders of Nyanga* provides detailed maps, sketches, and analysis—it's a concise 88-page read focused on the "eloquent witness" left by the landscape itself. If you're planning a visit, sites like those near Mount Nyangani showcase the terraces today.

For a deeper dive, Soper's book *The Terrace Builders of Nyanga* provides detailed maps, sketches, and analysis—it's a concise 88-page read focused on the "eloquent witness" left by the landscape itself. If you're planning a visit, sites like those near Mount Nyangani showcase the terraces today.