Activities >> Sites

Zimbabwe: KHAMI RUINS National Monuments

The site

The Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986, Khami developed after the capital of Great Zimbabwe and was abandoned in the mid-16th century.
The site is of great archaeological interest ; the discovery of objects from Europe and China reveals that Khami has long been a centre for trade.
Khami is probably the second largest prehistoric stone built structure in Zimbabwe. Archaeologically, it is assigned to the Khami phase of the Zimbabwe tradition (1350 - 1700 AD), a cultural epoch associated with the development of early estate systems in Southern Africa.
The dry-stone architecture in Khami includes terraced stone platforms, elaborately decorated retaining walls, dhaka houses erected on top of stone platforms and roofed passages.

Objectives

- carry out a topographic survey of the monuments
- produce a condition survey report
- produce a site management plan
- improve the visitor's facilities.

Allocated budgets (US dollars)

	UNESCO World Heritage Fund	National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe	History Department of the University of Zimbabwe	Total per year
1998	36.900	6.000	6.000	48.900

Results

Documentation
- many surveys carried out (bibliographic, topographical, archaeological, condition, wildlife and vegetation) and water quality report
- preparation of computerised databases on past excavation and conservation activities
- register of all walls and structures
- preparation of draft maps
Conservation
- preparation of a condition survey
Management
- preparation of a draft management plan
Other
- purchase for a vehicle for use at the site

Complementary activities within the Projet cadre

- participation of Ashton Sinamai, site co-ordinator of the projet situé activities at Khami, to the Africa 2009 regional course held in Mombasa, Kenya (5 July to 3 September 1999)

Problems encountered

- manpower training

Implemented Activities

1998	August	Preliminary work and agreement	NMMZ / History Department, University of Zimbabwe
	September	Inception report	History Department, University of Zimbabwe
	Sept-Oct.	Surveys (bibliographic, topographical, archaeological, condition, wildlife and vegetation) and water quality report	History Department, University of Zimbabwe
	October	Preparation of a computerised database and preparation of draft maps Awareness survey	History Department, University of Zimbabwe
	Oct-Nov.	Elaboration of guidelines for the management plan	History Department, University of Zimbabwe / CRATerre-EAG
	November	Preparation of a draft site management plan	NMMZ / ICCROM
1999
	March	Final Management plan	NMMZ / ICCROM/ History Department, University of Zimbabwe
	July-Sept.	Participation of Ashton Sinamai, site co-ordinator of the projet situé activities at Khami, to the Africa 2009 regional course held in Mombasa	NMMZ / ICCROM / History Department, University of Zimbabwe