decline+of+great+zimbabwe+agriculture+and+economy

Home Decline of Great Zimbabwe Research Summary = = =Agriculture and Economy= Sources: Africa, African Kingdoms, Short Story of Africa

-the gold trade from Sofala to Kilwaon -gold trade reached its height in 1450 and then went on a steep decline -large states for mining and exporting gold to the east African coast before the 17th century. -ivory and gold trade -long distance trade led to the accumulation of wealth by rulers of Great Zimbabwe -accumulation of large herds of cattle -trade took place between Great Zimbabwe, the southern coast and the Portuguese -traded with Portuguese 1497 -more than 20 million ounces of gold extracted -Great Zimbabwe's trade continued to flourish in 1400s -Europeans were involved with gold coast wars, drawn into by African rivalries or hoping to increase their own trade. -warfare had been so continuous that it had made the gold trade almost impossible -the decline of Great Zimbabwe was a direct result of the decline of coastal trade cities of gold -the decline of the gold trade due to falling world prices and depletion of easily exploited sources -good pasturage for cattle and sheep -good conditions for sorghum, millet, beans, and squash -very variable soil, from rich to poor