Gertrude Caton-Thompson was a British archaeologist born in 1888, known for her significant contributions to the study of ancient cultures in Africa. She is particularly recognized for her work at the Great Zimbabwe site, where she challenged prevailing theories about its origins and emphasized the importance of local African cultures in its construction. In addition to her work in Zimbabwe, Caton-Thompson conducted excavations in Egypt and Palestine, making her one of the early female figures in archaeology. Her research helped to advance the understanding of prehistoric societies and highlighted the role of women in the field of archaeology.