How did trade in cattle, gold, and agriculture support the growth of Great Zimbabwe?

Great Zimbabwe flourished as a powerful trading empire from the 11th to the 15th centuries, with its prosperity rooted in a combination of agriculture, cattle husbandry, and the control of regional and international trade.12

• Cattle and Agriculture: The local economy was fundamentally based on crop cultivation and cattle keeping. Cattle were of major importance, serving as a source of wealth and a means of establishing political authority over a wide area. The population moved herds between the plateau and surrounding lowlands to access seasonal pastures, supporting a society that grew to include 10,000 to 20,000 people.123
• Gold Trade: Great Zimbabwe’s rise was significantly bolstered by its control over the mining and export of gold. This gold was traded with coastal merchants, including those from the Middle East and South Asia, in exchange for exotic goods such as beads, cloth, and fine pottery.32
• Political Power: By controlling these resources, a wealthy elite was able to consolidate political power, manage trade and tribute from distant settlements, and commission the construction of the city’s iconic stone structures.32