The name Zimbabwe is derived from Shona “Dzimba Dzemabwe”, meaning “Houses of Stone” or stone buildings, today symbolized by the Great Zimbabwe near the present-day town of Masvingo. Zimbabwe is home to unique remnants of ancient ruins that are of cultural and historical significance to understanding ancient African kingdoms and civilization, i.e. the Great Zimbabwe Ruins in Masvingo. Zimbabwe has a rich history, not only of achievement, innovation, co-operation, and economic prosperity, but also of conflict, trials and tribulations that reflects the dynamism of its peoples. Many scholars, past and present, have enhanced our knowledge of the Zimbabwean past through their works. Particularly important in our understanding of the pre-colonial past have been the works of archaeologists, linguists, historians, oral traditions, and records of 16th century Portuguese traders that interacted with central and southern Africa during that time.