Thriving ancient African cities that went extinct after contact with Europeans

Monomotapa Ruins, South Africa…Pinterest

Monomotapa

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Monomotapa was located in Mount Fura in South Africa.

The royal palace in Monomotapa was said to include decorative hanging lights with branches, full-fledged apartments, spacious halls, floors, ceilings, tables, benches, beams, rafters and candlesticks lined with gold and silver.

In 1571, Portuguese forces overtook Monomotapa. In 1629, the ruler Mavhura was appointed and there are claims that he took orders which favored the Portuguese.