ZIMSEC O Level · History · Form 1
History is the study of past human activities, based on evidence.
Sources of historical information
- Oral traditions: stories, praise poems, songs and proverbs passed down by elders.
- Archaeology: excavated remains such as pottery, tools, bones and ruins; dated by methods like radiocarbon dating.
- Written records: documents, diaries, letters, newspapers and accounts of travellers and missionaries.
- Others: rock paintings (San art in the Matobo Hills), linguistics, museums and photographs.
Each source has strengths and weaknesses: oral traditions may change over time; written sources may be biased.
Early societies in Zimbabwe
- The San were hunter-gatherers. They lived in small mobile bands, used stone tools, and left rock paintings.
- From about 2 000 years ago, Bantu-speaking farmers arrived. They grew crops, kept cattle, made pottery and worked iron.
The Iron Age
Iron tools improved farming and hunting, increased food supply and supported larger settlements. Early sites include Mapungubwe (on the Limpopo, in present-day South Africa) and Leopard's Kopje near Bulawayo.
Exam tip: When asked to evaluate a source, mention who made it, when, why, and how reliable it is.
Check yourself
- Give two sources used by historians of pre-colonial Zimbabwe.
- How did the San obtain food?
- State two advantages that iron brought to early farmers.
Show answers
- Any two: oral traditions, archaeology, written records, rock art.
- By hunting animals and gathering wild fruits, roots and honey.
- Any two: better hoes for farming, better weapons for hunting and defence, more food, larger settlements.
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