An art history student is comparing the physical structures of the Great Enclosure at Great Zimbabwe and the Great Mosque of Djenné. Which of the following statements correctly identifies the primary difference in the construction materials used for these two monuments?
- AThe Great Enclosure was constructed using sun-dried mud bricks reinforced with wooden beams, whereas the Great Mosque of Djenné was built using dry-stone masonry.
- BThe Great Enclosure was built using poured concrete and marble cladding, whereas the Great Mosque of Djenné was constructed with kiln-fired clay tiles and cement mortar.
- The Great Enclosure was constructed using dry-stone granite masonry without mortar, whereas the Great Mosque of Djenné was built using adobe mud bricks and plaster.Answer
- DThe Great Enclosure was built with imported limestone blocks held together with lime mortar, whereas the Great Mosque of Djenné was carved directly from a sandstone cliff.
Answer
The Great Enclosure was constructed using dry-stone granite masonry without mortar, whereas the Great Mosque of Djenné was built using adobe mud bricks and plaster.
The correct answer accurately states that the Great Enclosure at Great Zimbabwe is made of dry-stone granite masonry, which relies on precise masonry placement and gravity without mortar. In contrast, the Great Mosque of Djenné is built using sun-dried mud bricks and plaster (adobe), reflecting the regional Sahelian earthen architecture tradition.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Comparison of materials and construction methods between Great Zimbabwe and the Great Mosque of Djenné.