The rich heritage and great value of geological research in

Abstract

Zimbabwe has some of the geological wonders of the world, including the Victoria Falls and the Great Dyke. The Limpopo Belt, the Zambezi Rift Zone, and the granite-greenstone terrain of the central part of the country are also known throughout the geological community. It is no surprise, therefore, that geological research has flourished in Zimbabwe, arguably from the very earliest history of human occupation here. The San must have been highly conscious of the geology of the Zimbabwe: they chose to occupy granite country where they could find dwelling places in numerous caves, and where they had natural and enduring canvases for their exquisite paintings. Settlement patterns of the Bantu people were clearly influenced by geological factors, both in terms of mineral resources and construction materials (Blenkinsop and Walker, 1994; Walsh 1997). Cecil Rhodes's interest in the country, and its subsequent colonization, were driven by the promise of gold and diamonds.




The Zimbabwe Science News Volume 33(1) January-March 1999, pp. 12-19