sentences:  The kingdom was the first stage in a development that would culminate in the creation of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe in the 13th century, and with gold trading links to Rhapta and Kilwa Kisiwani on the African east coast.The Kingdom of Mapungubwe lasted about 80 years, and at its height its population was about 5,000 people.The first European historical records about these people begin in the late 15th century, with the beginning of European exploration.