Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences
The Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences, formerly known as the Queen Victoria Museum, is a national museum located in the Civic Centre of Harare, Zimbabwe. Established in 1903, the institution primarily focuses on archaeology and anthropology, serving as the country’s main repository for ethnographic and historical heritage.
Key Highlights & Permanent Exhibits
- Ngoma Lungundu: The museum’s star attraction is a 700-year-old sacred wooden drum belonging to the Lemba people. It is widely considered the oldest wooden object ever found in sub-Saharan Africa. Some researchers and oral traditions suggest it may be a replica or descendant of the biblical Ark of the Covenant.
- Human Evolution & Stone Age: Collections tracking human development from early Homo habilis to Homo sapiens, featuring ancient pebble and stone tools.
- Model Shona Village: An outdoor, life-sized replica of a traditional Shona village that highlights indigenous rural architecture, lifestyle, and social layout.
- Bantu Migration & Iron Age Metallurgy: Displays showcasing the migration patterns of Bantu-speaking peoples, early agriculture, and the historic gold trade with Swahili and Portuguese merchants.
- First Chimurenga: Displays detailing the historical resistance against colonial rule, featuring artifacts related to iconic spirit mediums such as Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi.
- Wildlife Galleries: Natural history dioramas documenting local flora and fauna, including native birds, reptiles, and mammals
