Advanced Level Zimbabwean History Revision Questions

Advanced Level Zimbabwean History Revision Questions
1. “Portuguese and Arabic written records are the only
reliable sources in the reconstruction of pre-colonial
Zimbabwean history.” Assess the validity of this
assertion.
2. Assess the contributions of oral tradition, archeology
and written records towards the discovery of
Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial history [Nov 2005]
3. With reference to the Gokomere, Ziwa Leopard’s
kopje cultures, explain how early Zimbabwe societies
improved their technology. [Nov 2005]
4. In what ways did the use of iron transform the
economic and social bases of early societies in pre-
colonial Zimbabwe? [Nov 2005]
5. Assess the validity of the assertion that the Great
Zimbabwe state relied on agriculture and cattle as the
main basis of its economy. [Nov 2005]
6. To what extent did trade contribute to the decline of
Great Zimbabwe?
7. Analyze the economic and social activities of the
people of Great Zimbabwe?
8. Critically evaluate the Arabic and Portuguese written
sources referring to Great Zimbabwe and the Mutapa
State before 1570.
9. Discuss the archaeological evidence for the Early
Iron Age in Zimbabwe. What does the period represents
in social, economic and political terms?
10. “The historical value of Oral Tradition in the study
of pre-colonial Zimbabwean history remains
questionable unless it is used alongside with other
sources.” How far true is this assertion?
11. With reference to the movements of the Shona in
Zimbabwe up to 1000AD critically examine the theories
of migration and diffusion.
12. Some historians have claimed that during the Iron
Age period the means of production and productive
relations changed substantially around 1000AD in
Zimbabwe. What archaeological evidence supports this
assertion? [Nov 2006]
13. Evaluate the utility of Rock Art as a class of
archaeological data.
14. With reference to the San, estimate the extent to
which the present Zimbabwean societies have benefited
from the San’s way of life.
15. Examine the various theories that have been put
forward by scholars to explain the builders of Great
Zimbabwe.
16. What crafts were developed during the middle part
of the Iron Age [700-1100]? Explain why demand for
these crafts increased.
17. What do archaeologists today know about Great
Zimbabwe? What more do we need to know?
18. “Wealth in cattle, trade goods and metal
production led to the growth of states in the Middle
Iron Age.” Assess the validity of this assertion.
19. “The movement of gold trade to the north from the
Lundi and Sabi to the Zambezi fully explains the decline
of Great Zimbabwe.” Discuss.
20. How important is rock art in the reconstruction of
the history of the Late Stone Age period in Zimbabwe
21. “Like Toutswe, drought and overgrazing led to
famine for cattle and people.” Is this a convincing
explanation for the decline of Great Zimbabwe?
22. “The origins and date of Great Zimbabwe were a
great mystery.” Discuss.
23. “It is clear from the evidence we have that the
Great Zimbabwe walls were purely for religious
functions.” How accurate is this assessment?
24. What were the economic, political and social
features of the state of Mapungubwe? Explain why the
state declined in the period from1200-1300.
25. Discuss the various ways found by archaeologists in
which the Early Iron Age cultures of Zimbabwe
continued into the Later Iron Age.
26. What can archaeology tell us about life in the Early
and Later Iron Ages? What can it not tell us?
27. Discuss the growth of patriarchy in the Later Stone
Age and Early Iron Age societies in Zimbabwe. Did
women and children suffer?
28. Discuss the economic, political and social features
of the hunter-gatherer communities in Zimbabwe in the
Late Stone Age period.
29. What were the main features of the Iron Age
cultures at
[a] Leopard’s Kopje
[b] Gokomere
[c] Ziwa
[d] Mabveni
30. How do we know that the people of Great Zimbabwe
were involved in the regional and inter-regional trade?
31. Why do you think Great Zimbabwe may have had
religious and military importance?
32. How did livestock keeping and agriculture make
people live a more settled life?
33. How was the growth of states in the later Iron Age
related to trade and religion?
34. Critically examine the methods that have been used
to recover Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial history.[Nov 2003]
35. Assess the validity of the assertion that archaeology
is the only source of historical evidence for the Late
Stone and Early Iron Age periods in Zimbabwe?
36. “The Leopard’s Kopje culture in Western Zimbabwe
and adjacent regions of Botswana and South Africa
marked the emergence of chiefdom and state societies
in the region.” Do you agree with this statement?
37. Explain the reasons for the decline of Great
Zimbabwe in the 15th century.
38. Identify and assess the economic, social and
political changes, which occurred in Zimbabwe during
the Early and Later Iron Ages? [Nov 2003]
39. What evidence is there to show that Great Zimbabwe
participated in regional and interregional trade? [Nov
2003]
40. Explain how hunting and gathering influenced the
way of life of the early Shona communities in Zimbabwe.
[Nov 2004]
41. Compare and contrast the lives of the Later Stone
age and Iron Age communities in Zimbabwe. [Nov 2004]
42. How far true is the assertion that trade was solely
responsible for the rise and growth of the state centred
at Great Zimbabwe?
43. Examine critically the reasons for the rise and fall
of the Great Zimbabwe? [Nov 2003]
44. Using appropriate examples from pre-colonial
Zimbabwe, argue for the importance of rock art as a
class of archaeological data.
45. Analyse the three controversies related to the
origins and rise of Great Zimbabwe. [Nov 2006]
46. What factors explain the emergence and decline of
the state of Mapungubwe?
47. Why is it necessary to use a multi-disciplinary
approach in the study of pre-colonial Zimbabwean
history?
48. “Art for art’s sake.” Is this a useful interpretation
of the rock art of the Late Stone Age in Zimbabwe?
49. “A typical example of a cultural conquest of the
conquerors by the vanquished.” Is this a fair
assessment of Ndebele-Shona relations.