Great Zimbabwe, Mashonaland, Rhodesia / An account of two years' examination work in 1902-4 on behalf of the government of Rhodesia

“THE Valley of Ruins” is on the north-east and east sides of the Elliptical Temple, and almost half-way between it and the south side of the east end of the Acropolis Hill. This conglomeration of ruins extends from the edge of the slope which runs along the north-east sides of both Elliptical Temple and No. 1 Ruins to within 60 yds. of the west side of East Ruins, and covers an area of about 250 yds. from east to west and 120 yds. from north to south. This area is the upper portion of the Zimbabwe Valley, which descends towards the east, the streams from this valley during the rainy season falling into the Mapudzi stream, which runs southwards down the Schlichter Gorge towards the Moshawasha Valley, and later finds its way into the Motelekwe River.

Till 1902–3 these extensive ruins, some of which are massive and most excellently constructed, remained not only unexplored but unexamined, and no particulars or plan had ever been attempted to be given, all writers being content to refer to them as “The Valley of Ruins,” while some writers altogether ignore the existence of the group. Dr. Helm, of Morgenster, whose professional duties have taken him twice every month for the last six years within a few score yards of the ruins, states that he never supposed the wood and the jungle contained any walls.

Since the Occupation in 1890 no attention has been paid to these ruins. No visitors’ or even native paths crossed the area, nor are there the slightest traces in the shape of trenches of relic hunters and gold prospectors having worked here. So unfrequented has it been that some fair-sized buck have recently been shot within the walls. The area was found to be covered with an almost impenetrable jungle of trees, bushes, and creepers. The local natives declared the place to be bewitched, and consequently they avoided it.

“The Valley of Ruins” has recently (1903) been found to consist of three groups, each of which includes several distinct ruins, some being of an important character.

The area is divided as follows:—

1. Lower or north-eastern section, including the Posselt, Philips, and Maund Ruins.

2. Middle section, which lies between the lower section and the edge of the slope of land on the north-east side of the Elliptical Temple.

3. Upper section, including all ruins between the Elliptical Temple and the edge of the slope overlooking lower portions of “The Valley of Ruins.”

Before describing these complicated groups there are some features represented by them which may be mentioned.

(a) Several of these ruins, especially those in the lower section, are exceedingly massive and well built, the courses marvellously true with an absence of straight joints. The curves of the wall are beautifully designed and are laid on boldly sweeping lines. The material is good, and is also most carefully selected and sized. The masonry of many of the walls is far superior to that of some of the divisional walls of the Elliptical Temple and to the majority of the walls on the Acropolis.

(b) The absence of the angular style of buildings, except with certain structures in the middle section. Rounded entrances and buttresses and gracefully rounded ends of walls form the most prevailing features of most of these ruins. Two conical towers, several very large semi-circular buttresses or platforms form prominent features. Two drains were discovered (1903) in Philips Ruins and three in Posselt Ruins (B).

(c) The middle section is poorly built, and possesses some angular features. The upper section is well built.

(d) The discovery (1903) in the lower section of these ruins of gold articles, decorated and plain soapstone beams and relics of the oldest type, including the soapstone beam with bird on summit—the finest specimen yet found in Zimbabwe—point to the fact that certain of these ruins were used for somewhat higher purposes than those of forts or workshops, possibly, as many now suggest, as residences for priests or officials connected with the temple. This surmise is justifiable, seeing that the north-east passage connects such well-built and substantial portions of these mines directly with the North Entrance and Parallel Passage and Sacred Enclosure of the Elliptical Temple. In the lower section of these ruins there are no traces of ancient or native industries having been carried on.

(e) In the lower section of these ruins there are fewer signs of modern or even of very old Makalanga clay huts, such as are fully described in “Native huts found in ruins.” No modern articles were found here. The consequence is there has been in this lower group of ruins very little artificial filling-up of the enclosures, and the ruins are more open and are easier of examination than most of the other ruins at Zimbabwe. But being on lower ground, with a huge bank of granite and soil on the south-western flank, there has been a considerable amount of soil silted into the ruins during the course of hundreds of years, but not to any great depth. The filling-in, both natural, is no more than about 2 ft., as compared with 5 ft. and 7 ft. in other ruins elsewhere where there are abundant signs of native occupation.

POSSELT RUINS

These ruins are the most westerly of the lower section of The Valley of Ruins. They consist of two almost oval-shaped buildings adjoining each other, and for the purposes of this description are marked A and B respectively on the plan. This set of ruins lies at the north-east extremity of the North-East Passage leading from the Elliptical Temple.

A is 175 ft. long from north to south, and 91 ft. from east to west. B lies at almost right angles to A on its south-west side, and is 110 ft. from east to west, and 75 ft. from north to south.

The interesting points concerning the Posselt Ruins are:—

(1) The discovery of beaten gold and of the older class of relics.

(2) Two entrances with unworked soapstone beams used as lintels in portcullis grooves.

(3) Complicated entrances; a small conical tower; cement dadoes; a parallel passage; circular and semi-circular buttresses; only slight artificial filling-in of interior; some evidence of occupation by old or modern natives.

(4) Massive character of walls originally averaging at least 15 ft. in height; excellent construction, main walls being superior to many divisional walls in the Elliptical Temple and to most of the walls on the Acropolis; the overwhelming predominance of the rounded style of architecture.

(5) No evidence of either ancient or native industries having been carried on in these ruins.

SECTION A OF POSSELT RUINS

Main walls.—The main walls average from 7 ft. to 12 ft. in height above the surface of the veld, while the height of the interior faces, which are some 3 ft. above the outside level, averages 6 ft. to 9 ft. The great amount of wall débris at the foot of the walls suggests an original average height of at least 15 ft. above the cement floors. Some practical builders have computed it to have been almost 20 ft., and the batter-back would permit of this. The average of 15 ft. is a very conservative estimate of the original height. There is more dilapidation on the outside top edges of the walls than on the inside. The width of the main walls at base averages 6 ft., and on the reduced summit at 9 ft. above the outer surface of the ground 4 ft. Some of the divisional walls are almost equally as massive. As is usual in the rounded style of building, the main walls, also the foundations, widen out as they near an entrance. The curves of the walls are most symmetrical, especially of the wall which curves outwards from the north to the east-south-east. Two granite beams—one 6 ft. 3 in. high—once stood erect on the north-east portion of the main wall. A flat granite slab still stands erect on the west wall. Other long granite beams were found at the foot of the wall both outside and inside. The foundations of the main walls are carried under the entrances and form their floors.

Construction.—The construction of the main walls and also of some of the divisional walls is good, though there are places where a rather inferior workmanship can be noticed. On the whole, the courses are regular, straight joints are infrequent, and the sizes of the blocks of each course show they were carefully selected. There are a few short lengths of walls in the interior which do not appear to have been parts of the original building. These are erected upon the black vegetable mould, and are poorly constructed, are slight and of indifferent material, being almost identical, if not quite so, with old Makalanga walls, the noticeable feature of which is the building of one stone exactly above and squarely on the block below without any pretence at bonding. This is known as the column style, and can be seen in walls in native villages as well as within certain ruins at Zimbabwe, mainly on the Acropolis, where, as in these ruins, there are the remains of very old Makalanga cement huts.

Entrances.—There are four rounded entrances through the main wall; possibly there was a fifth on the east side where there is a wide gap. There are twelve entrances in divisional walls, nine of which are rounded, two being partly angular and partly rounded, and one angular, this last being before referred to as probably of later construction. It is almost certain that many more divisional entrances will yet be discovered, as several of the divisional walls only just outcrop above the surface of the interior. Almost every entrance has portcullis grooves. All four of the entrances through the main wall have rounded buttresses on either side projecting into the interior of the building. Three of the more important divisional entrances also have rounded buttresses on each side of the entrance.

The E.N.E. entrance was evidently the main entrance. Its walls are very massive, and the arrangement of the inner walls strongly suggests the intention to protect the entrance and afford a second line of defence. This entrance generally is the most imposing of all four approaches. It opens directly on to the exterior of the building, which the west entrance does not; nor most probably did the S.E. entrance, which opens out towards other ruins. The E.N.E. entrance varies in width from 2 ft. 10 in. to 4 ft., and the passage is 12 ft. long. The side walls are 5 ft. high, but rise sharply towards the exterior to 8 ft. and 11 ft. respectively, and both are about 6 ft. wide on floor level. As in the entrances through the main wall of the Elliptical Temple, the foundations run under the entrance and form its passage floor. The entrance has two buttresses on the inner side, and these have portcullis grooves.

The west entrance opens in Section B of the Posselt Ruins. This is 1 ft. 10 in. wide, 7 ft. long, and the side walls are 7 ft. high above the floor and 6 ft. wide on the floor level. The entrance shows remains of portcullis grooves. The floor of the entrance is 2 ft. above the cement floor of the interior of the building, and there are the remains of large rounded cement steps down on to the floor. On the inner side is the Parallel Passage, described later, and as in this passage are a quantity of buttresses, these show that the entrance was well protected from attack from the side of Section B, especially on the north outer side of the entrance, where is what visitors have called a “sentry-box,” a small walled-in area immediately adjoining and opening directly upon the entrance into Section A. The elaborate protection of this entrance from attacks from Section B would appear to show that Section A was regarded by the builders as the more important portion of these buildings.

The south-east entrance opens out on to the veld, but there are extensive ruins, portion of the middle section of “The Valley of Ruins,” at a few yards’ distance in front of it with traces of walls between. This entrance is 2 ft. 4 in. wide between the buttresses, and 3 ft. wide between the sides of the main wall. It is 11 ft. long, and the side walls are 7 ft. high on either side, rising rapidly on the east side to 10 ft. There is a pair of rounded buttresses 5 ft. high on the inner side, and these have portcullis grooves. It is probable that this was the entrance used by the ancient occupiers on ascending from these ruins to the Elliptical Temple, as the north-eastern extremity of the North-East Passage is not many yards away from this entrance.

An entrance through a divisional wall just within and on the west side of the E.N.E. entrance is worthy of notice. This passes through a wall 6 ft. wide on floor level, and 7 ft. high on the south-west side and 6 ft. high on the north-east side. In this entrance, which has rounded buttresses on the inner side, a length of unworked soapstone beam was found acting as a side lintel in a portcullis groove, also the fragments of a corresponding soapstone lintel. In this entrance was discovered (March, 1903) beaten gold and fragments of decorated soapstone bowls.

Parallel Passage.—This is the sixth parallel passage so far discovered at Zimbabwe, and is about the fifth in importance. It runs for 66 ft. on the inside of, and parallel to, the west main wall. The inner or east wall of the passage is formed by a line of buttresses with short walls between each, and in these walls are various entrances leading towards the interior of the building. No portion of this inner wall is more than 5 ft. in height, though the wall débris along their summits rises 2 ft. higher. The passage is defended by several pairs of rounded buttresses with portcullis grooves, and averages in width from 5 ft. to 8 ft.

The passage commences on the south side of the west entrance which leads from Section B of these ruins. Two large rounded buttresses form its southern extremity. The buttress on the west side, which is 5 ft. high, projects 5 ft. into the walled-in area opposite to the inside of the west entrance, and the eastern buttress, which is 4 ft. high, projects 3 ft. to meet it, leaving the entrance between them 3 ft. wide. There are no portcullis grooves, but it is probable, judging by the position of the débris, that a pair of rounded buttresses once stood on either side of the entrance. Portcullis grooves are most usually found in such additional buttresses. In this walled-in area, facing the inside of the west entrance, is a passage-way leading into the interior of the building, but this still remains unexplored.

Going north from this point, the Parallel Passage is narrowed to 4 ft. by a rounded buttress 5 ft. high projecting from the inner or eastern side of the passage. From this buttress a wall 5 ft. high runs north-east and parallel to the inside of main wall for 13 ft., the passage along this length being about 4 ft. 6 in. wide. At the northern end of this length of wall are a pair of rounded buttresses 4 ft. 6 in. high with portcullis grooves. The entrance between the two is 1 ft. 10 in. wide, and these are built upon the same foundation which forms the floor of the entrance. At 16 ft. further north is another pair projecting from either side into the passage. The one on the west side is 5 ft. high, is rounded, and has a portcullis groove. The opposite is 3 ft. high and greatly dilapidated. It is angular on one side and rounded on the other, and there are traces only of a portcullis groove. The quality of the construction differs, the rounded buttress being the better built. Possibly the other buttress is a reconstruction of a much later date. The entrance between the buttresses is 2 ft. 6 in. wide. Both buttresses are erected on the same foundation which forms the floor of the entrance.

Between the last-described two pairs of buttresses and on the east side is a roughly built entrance 1 ft. 10 in. wide, with the two buttresses angular on the outside and rounded on the inside. This leads into the interior of the building. At the northern end of the passage and on the east side and leading into the interior is an entrance with portcullis grooves built upon a curved line. The west corners, which are 3 ft. 6 in. high, are angular, but the inside walls are rounded. This is altogether better built and more substantial than the entrance previously described. The northern extremity of the passage is abrupt on its eastern side, which faces the south end of the gap in the main west wall, and the presumption is that the passage was originally continued further north, but that when the main wall fell the eastern side of the passage was also destroyed.

In places the floor of the passage shows by the wall of a large semi-circular buttress which projects 11 ft. from the inner face of the main wall. All the walls surrounding the area are very well built. The south side is formed by an opening 2 ft. 4 in. wide between the semi-circular buttress and the west side of the conical tower, by the conical tower, by an opening 2 ft. wide between the east side of the tower and a rounded buttress 4 ft. high, which projects 3 ft. 6 in. from the wall forming the east side of the enclosure. The floor, which is made of granite cement, is 1 ft. above the floor on the south, and is approached by a rounded step.

Conical Tower.—This tower and the Conical Tower in the adjoining Philips Ruins are almost identical in construction and position. It has a circumference at 14 in. above its foundation of 17 ft. 6 in., and at 3 ft. 6 in. above this level the circumference is 15 ft. 6 in. It is impossible to measure its circumference at base owing to the cement floor enclosing its north and north-east sides. It is 5 ft. 8 in. high from base on the north side and 4 ft. on the south side. The filling-in process of very late occupiers has caused its dilapidation. The tower has been proved to be solid.

Semi-circular Buttress.—A large remains of pavement, portions being cemented and portions paved with blocks. A large rounded granite cement step crosses the northern end of the passage.

Dadoes.—In the passage and on the lower inside face of the main wall are several lengths of granite cement dadoes, the longest being 10 ft. and 12 ft. The dadoes are still 2 ft. to 3 ft. high, and about 3 in. to 5 in. thick.

Enclosures.—It is probable, judging by the number of sections of divisional walls outcropping above the surface of the interior, that there are some eight or ten distinct enclosures within Section A of these ruins. Some enclosures have several entrances, all so far discovered being rounded. The divisional walls of most of the enclosures are massive and well built, some being far superior in construction and material to several of the divisional walls in the Elliptical Temple.

The most perfect enclosure is on the inner side of the north-east, immediately west of the E.N.E entrance. This was entirely filled in with soil and blocks up to the tops of the walls, which are 7 ft. and 8 ft. high. All this filling-in has now been removed (March, 1903), and a conical tower, which had been completely buried, was discovered. The area is formed on the north-east side by the inner face of the main wall, which is 7 ft. high and 11 ft. long, on the east side by a wall 7 ft. high and 9 ft. long, and on the west side it averages from 2 in. to 4 in. in thickness. Its faces are usually smoothed and the tops are rounded off inwards.

Native huts.—There are the remains of seven old native huts in this section of the ruins. These are identical with No. 3 huts described in “Makalanga huts within ancient ruins,” see “Notes on Architecture.” They are built about 2 ft. and 3 ft. above the ancient cement floors. Two are built across gaps in divisional walls, and one partially covers a portion of the gap in the north-west main wall, which, had it been intact, would not have enabled the builders of the hut to find room for the erection of their dwelling.

POSSELT RUINS. SECTION B

This lies to the west of Section A of the Posselt Ruins, which it immediately adjoins on its south-west side and practically forms part of the same ruins.

Its area is 110 ft. from east to west, and 75 ft. from north to south, and is oval in plan. The construction of the walls is excellent, and this section appears to be one of the earliest period ruins. Its central portion has been filled in, and some of the walls dividing off the enclosures are still buried beneath the débris. There are no signs of native occupation of the interior of the ruins, but on the outside of the building are the circular ruins of old native huts and débris consisting mostly of ashes, bones, and pottery.

Only the three enclosures at the west end have been cleared out to their old floors, but nothing was found of any antique character.

Walls.—The outer walls are massive and show excellent construction, and average in height between 5 ft. and 10 ft., their width being 6 ft. at 5 ft. above the ground. The inner walls are also massive and are fairly well built, being 5 ft. wide at 4 ft. above the ground. There is a narrow and low divisional wall of poor construction cutting off the north-east portion of these ruins, and this most probably is of later date.

Entrances.—There are only two entrances through the main or outer walls. The one on the north-east side is 2 ft. 6 in. wide, and has very massive walls, which are rounded, and all exceptionally well constructed. There is a pair of rounded buttresses immediately inside, and these have portcullis grooves. The foundation of the main wall forms the floor of the entrance passage.

The south entrance is 4 ft. wide, and is built upon the foundation of the main south wall. It is narrowed to 2 ft. by two rounded buttresses, and these have portcullis grooves.

“Sentry-box.”—This class of structure has been popularly termed “sentry-box.” In the angle at the north-east corner is a rounded wall with a narrow opening into the inside. This is situated close to the entrance leading into Section A, and its position suggests the idea that it was used as a sentry-box guarding the entrance. There are several of these structures at Zimbabwe, and they all occupy a similar position near entrances.

Drains.—There are three drains through the walls of this section of the Posselt Ruins, one in the south wall passing through a wall 5 ft. 6 in. wide, one in a divisional wall, 4 ft. wide, which projects from the south main wall towards the north, and one in a divisional wall 5 ft. wide at the north-west of the building.

A semi-circular buttress projects 11 ft. into the interior from the cunei face of the north-east main wall. It is 27 ft. round its outer face. On the east side the buttress is 8 ft. high, and on the south and west sides, owing to dilapidations, and also to a higher floor, these faces are only 4 ft. and 5 ft. high. The top surface is covered with a foot depth of granite cement.

Circular platform.—This is at the eastern extremity of the ruins. It is 21 ft. in diameter and 5 ft. above the floors of the adjoining enclosures. On the east side the summit is approached by granite cement steps which are large and well rounded, and on the south by stone steps.

On the west of this platform are two raised enclosures immediately on the inside of the main wall. The northern one has steps leading some way towards the west side of the Circular Platform, and there probably once reached its summit.

Cement dadoes.—In these ruins are many lengths of granite cement dado work, the greatest length intact being 33 ft., and this is on the east of the west main wall. This work is also extensively found in the Parallel Passage. Not only is it found on the faces of walls, but also on round buttresses and on the side walls of entrances, thus reducing their widths by about 5 in. It runs about 3 ft. higher than the cemented floors.

PHILIPS RUINS

These ruins lie to the east of the Posselt Ruins, which they almost adjoin, being only 8 yds. apart at their nearest points. These ruins present several most interesting features:—

(1) The discovery (March, 1903) of the finest, most perfect, and most elaborately decorated soapstone beam with bird on summit yet found at Great Zimbabwe, also of phalli and beaten gold.

(2) An excellently constructed and massive wall, built upon the plan of a section of a circle, with its centre facing due east, and the discovery of quantities of sections of worked soapstone beams along its base, together with fragments of carved soapstone bowls, and also ancient relics of the oldest type.

(3) A small conical tower uncovered March, 1903.

(4) Excellent and massive character of the construction of the walls of the numerous rounded entrances, buttresses, and ends of walls. There are two drains, also a tall slate beam built into a portcullis groove to form a side lintel post in an entrance.

(5) The complete absence of signs of native occupation of these ruins except on the east side of the large curved wall, and these are slight.

Area.—The area occupied by these ruins is 140 ft. from east to west, and 150 ft. from north to south. There is no main outer wall on the south side, and it is probable, judging by wall débris, that these ruins extended some 20 yds. further south.

Main walls.—These extend from the west side round the north to the south-east, the rest having disappeared; or possibly Posselt Ruins and these were originally one immense ruin, so that an outer wall on the west side might never have existed; but this could not have been the case with regard to the south side.

The main outer walls average from 5 ft. to 9 ft. in height on their outer faces, and 3 ft. to 8 ft. on their inner sides, the interior of the building being on a considerably higher level than the exterior. This is owing mainly to the natural fall of the ground towards the north-east and east on which the ruins are built. The widths of the main walls vary from 6 ft. to 8 ft. on floor level, 5 ft. at 6 ft. above the floor, while some reduced summits have a width of 5 ft. at 9 ft. above the floor.

Construction.—These ruins, especially some portions, such as the massive curved wall, are most excellently built. The selection of the blocks, the good and even quality of the granite employed, show that some special importance was attached to these portions of the ruins. Except for one small buttress, the angular style of building is absolutely absent from these structures.

The divisional walls are also well built, and are superior to the main and outer walls of several ruins at Zimbabwe.

Curved wall.—This wall forms the most prominent feature in these ruins, and it at once attracts the attention of all visitors on account of its symmetrical and massive character, excellent workmanship, and the height of its reduced summit, which has the extraordinary width of 5 ft. at 13 ft. from the ground. The curve is laid on so exact a plan that it was an easy matter for a surveyor to definitely determine the centre of the arc. The centre of the curve faces outwards due east, and standing at the centre of the arc the extremities of the wall are found to be E.N.E. and E.S.E. respectively. It is 125 ft. round its inner face at 6 ft. above the remains of cement flooring, and 84 ft. round its outer face at the same height from the ground, but its outer extremities are hidden behind rounded walls and buttresses. The distance between the two extremities across the bow is 75 ft., and from that line to the centre of the curve the distance is 23 ft. The batter-back of the wall is 1 ft. 3 in. in 10 ft.

The height of the reduced summit for 60 ft. averages 9 ft. to 13 ft. on either side of the wall, but as these heights are taken from raised cement steps, platforms, and sections of floors, at least another 2 ft. or 3 ft. may be added to their present reduced height, for the greatest height from foundation to summit is 15 ft. 6 in. The original height may safely be estimated at 20 ft. above the cement flooring. This estimate is justified by the great amount of wall débris found along the bases of either side of the wall. On the summit near the south end of the wall are the remains of a banquette, and these inner terraces or look-outs are almost invariably behind walls which are at least breast high above the floor of the banquette; moreover, the batter-back of the faces of the wall would well allow of a wall 20 ft. high and yet leave a fairly wide summit. Where the entrance facing the E.N.E. passes through this wall, the side walls are reduced to 5 ft. in height on either side above the floor of the entrance, which is 3 ft. above the foundation of the wall.

This entrance, like those in the main walls of the Elliptical Temple, is carried over the foundation of the wall, and this forms its passage floor. It is 2 ft. wide and 6 ft. 6 in. long, and has two rounded buttresses on the inner side, and these have portcullis grooves. These buttresses are built upon a semi-circular platform projecting 6 ft. into the interior of the building, thus making the entrance passage about 12 ft. in length. The floor of the entrance is covered with granite cement.

One peculiar feature in the construction of this wall is that, while the northern end is rounded off, the southern end is continued in the form of a portion of a loop, which circles southwards and eastwards, and then runs back into the east face of the curved wall, enclosing an almost circular area of 10 ft. in diameter. The wall in this loop is well built. The average height of the loop-wall is 6 ft., but on the south side it rises to 10 ft., where the width of the summit is 3 ft. The interior was rudely filled up with stones, below which was a cement floor 3 ft. higher than the outside level and 6 ft. above the foundation. This raised platform or pulpit is approached on the west side by a few steps leading up to a rounded opening into the loop.

This curved wall, massive as it is, does not form an outer wall of these ruins, but crosses their centre, dividing them into two parts. It is apparently independent so far as its plan, superior character of construction, and purpose are concerned.

At the west side of the curved wall, and at the centre of the curve, is a wall 23 ft. long projecting towards the interior of the building. This is 3 ft. high at its western extremity, but its summit rapidly rises to 8 ft. in height. It has a slight curve towards the south. On its north side is a small recess extending from base to summit, and this is exactly similar in construction to the recesses in “Buttress” or “Recess Enclosure” on the Acropolis.

On either side of this wall, and in the angles formed by the curved wall, are low granite cement platforms which are rounded on the front faces. These resemble the “blind steps” found in all the main ruins at Zimbabwe.

The purpose of the erection of the curved wall might possibly have been for solar or astronomical observations, and though this is a mere conjecture, the following points may lend it some support:—

(1) In close proximity to this curved wall, and on its eastern side, was discovered the soapstone beam with carved bird on the summit—this being the finest specimen yet discovered at Zimbabwe—also phalli and ancient relics of the oldest type. The soapstone birds had so far been discovered only at the Western and Eastern Temples on the Acropolis.

(2) The discovery under the wall débris which lay along each side of the wall at its base of quantities of lengths of broken soapstone beams which, though not carved, had been worked with tools, the widths of the edges of the chisel being very plainly discernible, some sections being beautifully rounded and polished. These are believed to have originally decorated the summit of the wall, a suggestion supported by the shape and markings on the bases of several beams so discovered. Soapstone beams once fixed on the summits of walls had previously been discovered only at the three temples.

(3) The proximity of a small conical tower in an adjoining enclosure at the north-eastern end of this wall.

(4) The large raised platform formed by the looped wall, and originally approached by steps on the west side, somewhat corresponds in position with the Platform in the Elliptical Temple and at the Western Temple, and with the Balcony at the Eastern Temple.

Conical Tower.—This is situated in the most north-easterly enclosure of these ruins. It is still 6 ft. 6 in. in height, but judging from the block débris it was once much higher. At 3 ft. 6 in. above the granite cement floor at its base it has a circumference of 18 ft. 10 in. It is impossible to measure the circumference of its base, as a large rounded cement step extends between it and the south wall of the enclosure. The tower, which has a fair and noticeable batter-back, is very well built. It has been proved to be solid. Its foundations are 6 in. below the cement floor. There are four of these small conical towers at Zimbabwe, two having been discovered in March, 1903. On the east side of this tower, and built up against its east side, is a small rounded platform 3 ft. high, covered with granite cement, which is approached by two large steps.

Entrances.—There are three entrances to these ruins—the north, north-east, and east—and most probably others will be found as further exploration work is carried on here.

The north entrance appears to have been the main approach. This is an intricate entrance, and one which appears to have possessed considerable importance in the minds of the original builders. It lies between two outer rounded walls, each 6 ft. high, which curve inwards towards each other so as to form a passage-way about 6 ft. wide, which is again narrowed at its southern extremity to 2 ft. 6 in. by two rounded buttresses on either side. These buttresses have portcullis grooves. The area opens into a small walled-in area, 10 ft. by 10 ft., the walls being 6 ft. high, and very well and substantially built. The floor is made of granite cement. There are three rounded walls in this area. A buttress with a portcullis groove is in the south-western corner of the area, but the corresponding buttress has disappeared. The walled-in area would have enabled twenty defenders to protect the 2 ft. 6 in. wide entrance from being forced by an attacking party. The west side of the entrance passage is carried further south by two walls, each built upon a semi-circular plan.

The north-east entrance opens into the enclosure which contains the Conical Tower already described. The side walls are 5 ft. high, and 4 ft. and 5 ft. wide at this height from the floor. The entrance is 2 ft. 4 in. wide, and including the steps it is 9 ft. long. A semi-circular platform projects 6 ft. into the enclosure, and on it are built two rounded buttresses with portcullis grooves. These buttresses are in an advanced state of dilapidation. There are three steps between these buttresses, and these lead down on to the floor of the interior. An immense slate beam rises out of the ground immediately on the north-east side of the exterior of the entrance.

At present only the south side of the east entrance has been opened out. This is 4 ft. high, and is rounded. On the inner side is a semi-circular buttress hollow inside with an opening into it from the south side.

All the entrances, of which there are seven in the divisional walls, are rounded, and most have portcullis grooves.

At the centre of the eastern face of the curved wall is a rounded entrance with portcullis groove, in which is built a slate beam which stands 8 ft. above the floor. The total length of the beam is at least 11 ft. This is the most perfect specimen of all the stone lintels built in portcullis grooves.

Enclosures.—Judging from sections of divisional walls, there were in all probability no less than sixteen enclosures in these ruins. Some were of large area, but subdivided. All the divisional walls are laid on curved lines. The only complete enclosure is the one on the north side, where is the Conical Tower. The wall on the south side is from 5 ft. to 9 ft. high, on the west side 5 ft. to 10 ft., and on the north side, which is the main outer wall of the ruins, 5 ft. This latter wall, which is curved outwards towards the north-east, is 4 ft. wide at 5 ft. above the ground. A cement floor is laid around the tower. The west entrance was described earlier under the heading of “Entrances.”

Buttresses.—In these ruins are numerous rounded buttresses. A large semi-circular buttress 4 ft. to 5 ft. high, 22 ft. round the face, 9 ft. from back to front, and 12 ft. across the back, faces the east and outer side of the centre of the curved wall, from which point the buttress is due east at 25 ft. distance. On the west side of this buttress is a passage with cement floor, rounded steps, and dadoes.

Drains.—So far as these ruins have been cleared, only two drains have been exposed, one through a wall 5 ft. wide, which wall runs parallel to the east side of the large curved wall, and one through the main wall leading from the north-east enclosure.

Cement.—Granite cement has been extensively employed at these ruins, both for flooring, dadoes, and steps, also for platforms in the angles of walls, which somewhat resemble the “blind steps” in the angles of the divisional walls of the Elliptical Temple.

MAUND RUINS

These ruins, though not extensive, appear to have been of some importance. They are situated at a distance of 60 yds. from the east-north-east side of Philips Ruins, and lie almost half-way between those ruins and the East Ruins.

Their construction is excellent, and the walls are massive, while all the entrances are rounded, most having possessed a pair of granite lintel beams. Although built upon by far the lowest level of any ruin at Zimbabwe, it is the least filled-in, either naturally or artificially, by any native occupiers. There are very few traces of Makalanga occupation. The granite cement floors are at a depth of 1 ft. to 2 ft. below the surface soil within the interior. No ancient relics, save fragments of soapstone bowls carved with chevron pattern, have been found here.

The most interesting points as to these ruins are:—

(1) Two very fine rounded ends of walls, both being excellent pieces of masonry.

(2) Two structures facing east and west respectively, the summits being approached by large steps, and each associated with one of the rounded walls.

(3) Sections of red clay walls in the gaps of the stone walls.

The area of these ruins is 143 ft. from east to west, and 138 ft. from north to south. There is some evidence that these ruins once occupied a larger area.

There is only one entrance, so far discovered, through the main wall, and this faces north. It is massive and well built, and opens into a vestibule enclosure 15 ft. long, 9 ft. wide, and 5 ft. and 7 ft. in height. The side walls of the entrance are 5 ft. high, the width of the main wall is 6 ft. 6 in., the width of the passage 3 ft., but narrowed on the inside to less than 2 ft. by two rounded buttresses with portcullis grooves, the south one of which has almost disappeared.

The east end of the south wall of the vestibule enclosure is one of two beautifully rounded ends of walls before referred to. The symmetry of the batter-back is perfect. This wall is 7 ft. high, 5 ft. wide at base, and 3 ft. 10 in. at summit. The vestibule has a granite cement floor. At the east end of the vestibule is one large rounded buttress with portcullis grooves. The corresponding buttress on the south-west side is much ruined.

On the west side of the ruins, and immediately west of the west wall of the vestibule wall, and built from wall to wall in the angle of the main and vestibule wall, is a raised platform 6 ft. high approached by four rows of stone steps once covered with granite cement. This structure is apparently different in purpose and construction from the “blind steps” found in some of the ruins at Great Zimbabwe, for in this instance the platform must have afforded a good position for seeing over the outer wall, and also for watching the entrance which it overlooks.

A similar structure is to be found on the east side of these ruins. This also is an excellent piece of workmanship. The steps in this instance lead from the west side of the base of the wall to its summit, and were once covered with granite cement, portions of which still remain. The wall is 8 ft. high, and its north end is beautifully rounded. It is 4 ft. 6 in. wide at its base, and 3 ft. wide on the summit. The north or rounded end of the wall, at 6 ft. above the ground, turns on each side towards the centre of the summit, forming a small round tower 2 ft. high. There are four steps, but it is possible that other steps were in between each of the steps now seen. The summit of the steps faces due east. This wall is not an outer wall.

There appear to have been at least ten enclosures. There are eleven divisional entrances, all rounded, of which eight have portcullis grooves and several have rounded buttresses on the inside. Two long granite beams and some sections of broken beams were found in most of the entrances, but not in those in which the portcullis grooves had been carefully built up.

In the northern enclosures and 2 ft. under the surface were found several large and massive cement steps laid on curved lines.