RENDERS RUINS
These are the best-defined ruins of the Middle Section of the Valley of Ruins, are of better construction, and have walls still standing of a fairly good height. All the other ruins in this section are almost, if not quite, impossible to trace, and a view of them gives the impression that they are of much later construction than the Renders Ruins.
These ruins, which lie east and west, cover an area of 300 ft. from east to west, and 200 ft. from north to south. They lie within 30 yds. of the south and south-west sides of Posselt Ruins, A and B, the intervening space, being full of outcrops of walls. On the south and south-west sides of these ruins is the Upper Section of the Valley of Ruins.
The most striking features of the Renders Ruins are (1) their complicated plan; (2) the banquette wall on the summit of the south wall of No. 3 Enclosure; and (3) the great amount of ancient gold, Arabian pottery and glass, and other relics discovered in No. 1 Enclosure.
The ruins are built upon the formation rock which slopes down from south-west to north-east, the floors of all the enclosures being the bed-rock itself, and this has such a steep gradient that at some points it makes it difficult for those wearing nailed boots to ascend from the lower to the higher portions of the ruins.
These ruins are approached from the Mauch Ruins by a passage and steps, also from the Motelekwe wagon-track, and by a path passing the west end of Posselt Ruins B. The North-East Passage leading from the Elliptical Temple is scarcely any longer an approach, as the passage walls have in some places fallen inwards and blocked the passage.
No. 1 Enclosure.—This is the most easterly of the enclosures of these ruins. It is oval in plan, being 73 ft. from east to west, and 52 ft. from north to south. The walls are substantially built, but are constructed in the style usually found in ruins built at some distance from any of the main ruins. The highest walls are on the west and southern sides, and these average from 7 ft. to 9 ft. in height, 4 ft. to 5 ft. at 5 ft. above the floor in width, and are 4 ft. wide at the summit. The other walls are considerably dilapidated and average about 4 ft. in height. The bare formation rock forms its floor, and it slopes considerably from south to north.
RENDERS’ RUINS
Valley of Ruins
Middle Section
On the rock floor the following “finds” were made: Twenty pieces of beaten gold and gold wire, a few gold beads, amounting altogether to 3 ozs. In the yellowish soil above the floor and at a depth of 4 ft. Arabian glass with arabesque patterns most delicately engraved, beautifully glazed pottery of white clay with different bevels on the edges, and sunken designs under the glazes which are both sea-green and a delicate shade of forget-me-not blue, also very thin china of white clay with rich deep blue-and-gold enamel, also some minutely thin green glass, a large soapstone bowl, a fine copper chain, and some other pottery of excellent make and covered with green glaze, which has the appearance of being ancient or certainly of being of very antique character. On the upper level was found half a hundred-weight of twisted iron wire in coils ready to be cut off in lengths for bangles. The coils were fused together. Coils of fine brass wire similarly fused, over 200 ivory and glass beads unrecognisable by local natives, two pairs of double iron gongs, brass bangles, large cakes of copper, crucibles used for smelting copper, and two hundred-weight of hoes, axes, and chisels far superior in make to those of the Makalanga of to-day. The local natives examined this last class of “finds” with much wonderment. There was a total absence of articles of modern native make.
There is overwhelming evidence that during the last two periods of occupations of this enclosure it was most extensively occupied as a copper and iron-smelting place.
On the outer side of the south wall is a remarkable instance of the silting of the soil from higher ground. The depth of soil on the south face of the wall is at least 5 ft., and this has been washed into its present position by the rainstorms of many years. The triangular space formed by the wall and the sloping granite rock was thus filled in for a length of fully 70 ft.
There are no signs of any entrances into this enclosure except on the north-east side, where there is a long gap in the wall.
No. 2 Enclosure.—This is situated due west of No. 1 Enclosure. Its area, which is square save on the south side where it slightly rounds outwards, is 30 ft. by 20 ft. The débris from the high east wall of No. 3 Enclosure has almost filled it up to the summit of its walls. Nothing of any antiquarian value was found here, but the examination work was only partial. This enclosure probably acted as a passage-way from the North-East Passage to Nos. 1 and 5 Enclosures, and possibly towards the Lower Section of “The Valley of Ruins.”
No. 3 Enclosure.—The plan of this enclosure, which lies directly west of No. 2 Enclosure, is almost circular save that its north-east wall is slightly squared. The area is 39 ft. from north to south, and 36 ft. from east to west. The walls are exceedingly massive, some being 7 ft. wide at base and 5 ft. wide on the present summit at 7 ft. from the ground. They are obviously of better construction than any of the other walls of these ruins.
On the summit of the south wall are the remains of a banquette wall still 4 ft. long and 4 ft. high, which makes the total height of the wall at this point 11 ft. There is only one entrance, which is on the north-west, is rounded, and has portcullis grooves.
This enclosure has not as yet yielded any article of an antique character, but modern native articles are practically absent.
No. 4 Enclosure.—This is practically an open space separating these ruins on the south side from the ruins which are on higher ground, and extend up to the north-east walls of the Elliptical Temple. In area it is 150 ft. long from east to west, and averages in width from north to south some 50 ft. It is bounded on the south by three long semi-circular terraced walls, each about 8 ft. in height. Its floor on the north side is of formation rock, which slopes at a steep gradient to the north side where soil has silted in to a depth of 5 ft. On the north-east side it is bounded by the outer faces of Enclosures Nos. 1, 2, and 3.
The North-East Passage runs into the south-west corner of the area, and there are steps and a passage leading down from Mauch Ruins at the south-east corner of the area.
In this enclosure were found some fine pottery with Arabic lettering on the rim with beautiful designs, also a few gold beads.
No. 5 Enclosure.—This area is 86 ft. from north to south, and 40 ft. from east to west. It is bounded by No. 8 Enclosure on the west, by No. 2 Enclosure on the south, and by No. 1 Enclosure and a large open space not yet explored on the east and north sides. The walls are still fairly high, averaging 9 ft. on the south side, 8 ft. on the west, 7 ft. on the north and east sides. The construction is massive, the walls averaging 5 ft. to 6 ft. in width at base.
The entrance on the north-east side is rounded and had portcullis grooves. The foundations of the wall, as in all the older buildings, form the floor of the passage.
The only other entrance is in the south-east corner, and this leads into No. 2 Enclosure.
No. 6 Enclosure.—This enclosed area is directly on the west side of No. 3 Enclosure, and is 90 ft. from east to west, and averages 35 ft. from north to south. Possibly it contained sub-divisions, for small walls and traces of walls are to be found within it. The average height of the walls, so far as they are intact, is from 6 ft. to 8 ft. The floor of this enclosure is formed of granite rock which slopes slightly to the north. The eastern end of the south wall runs up a steep rock incline sideways, and is in consequence much dilapidated.
The North-East Passage runs from No. 4 Enclosure into this area at its south-east corner where it divides, one part going down into “The Valley,” while the other, following along the higher ground, trends to the west as far as No. 1 Ruins.
The two entrances at the south-east corner of the enclosure where the North-East Passage divides are both rounded—the entrance on the north-east side is also rounded.
No. 7 Enclosure and Passage.—This enclosure, which is triangular in form, is the most westerly of all the clearly defined areas of the Renders Ruins. It is 28 ft. long on its western side, 18 ft. on its north-east side, and 29 ft. on its southern side. The inner faces of the walls average 8 ft. in height. A large entrance, evidently of some importance, is on the west side. This is rounded and has portcullis grooves, while the side walls are 5 ft. high and the passage is 3 ft. 6 in. wide. Steps led from the entrance downwards on the outward side.
A drain runs through the south wall leading from No. 6 Enclosure.
A passage 31 ft. long with side walls 6 ft. high leads from this enclosure into No. 8.
No. 8 Enclosure appears to be of a very chaotic and irregular character, mounds of soil, piles of stones, and traces of sub-divisional walls being the principal features of this area, the surface measurements of which are 150 ft. from east to west, and 70 ft. from north to south. Soil has been evidently brought into the enclosure for the purpose of forming platforms on which are the remains of very old Makalanga clay huts.
Probably there were at least six sub-divisions of this enclosure. On the north, north-west, west, and south-west the walls average 6 ft. to 9 ft. in height, and about 4 ft. on the other sides. The walls are substantial and are fairly well built in places, the more substantial building being on the west side, where there is a prominent end of an angular wall 15 ft. high facing the north.
There are at least four entrances to this enclosure, viz. one on the north side which is rounded, a second on the south side which is also rounded and has portcullis grooves, one on the north-east side which is angular, and the fourth on the east side, and this is rounded.
MAUCH RUINS
These are well-defined ruins, and they form part of the Upper Section of “The Valley of Ruins,” and are situated on the north-east of the north-east extremity of the chevron pattern on the Elliptical Temple at a distance of 105 yds. They occupy the granite plateau on the edge of steep ground overlooking the Middle and Lower Sections of “The Valley of Ruins.”
The plan and the excellently constructed portions of some of the walls, and the class of relics found here in 1903, when these ruins were partially cleared out, all point to the building having a distinct claim to some antiquity, although of a more subsequent age than that of some of the main ruins.
The distinctive features of this ruin are its high walls, a passage running parallel with the inside of the main north-east wall, a large semi-circular buttress or platform, and the quantity of beaten gold and gold wire discovered here.
Main walls.—The workmanship of some of the lengths of main walls is excellent, but some are of inferior construction, portions being obviously reconstructions with the joints plainly visible. There are at least two reconstructed walls—one on the west side of the main wall, and the other on the north-east side of the Parallel Passage. In the inferior portions blocks of all sizes and shapes have been employed. The best-built portions are the north-east main wall and the divisional wall which runs north-east to south-west. All the main walls are built upon a curved plan.
The main walls are still high, though evidently somewhat reduced from their original heights. The heights from the outside surface average from 9 ft. to 12 ft., and in places the level of the summits is very fairly maintained. From the interior surface the heights vary from 7 ft. to 10 ft.
The widths of the walls are evenly maintained throughout, being about 4 ft. 6 in. wide at 4 ft. above the ground, and 3 ft. to 3 ft. 6 in. at a summit of 12 ft., the battering-back being about 1 ft. in 8 ft. Some of the walls have been thrown out of batter, and the upper edges overhang.
All the ends of the walls are rounded, except in the large divisional wall, where is an unfinished end facing north, which terminates abruptly.
Interior Area.—The measurements of the interior are: 98 ft. from east to west, and 83 ft. from north to south. The area is of a rough oval shape. It originally contained at least three enclosures. The soil filling-in is artificial. The elevation of the ruin precludes any suggestion of silting in naturally. This work is believed to be that of all local natives of some few generations past.
Parallel Passage.—This is 99 ft. long down its centre, and was most probably much longer, as its extremities disappear in débris. The north-east side wall of the passage, which is the main wall, is from 7 ft. to 9 ft. high at the eastern end, and there is a break owing to dilapidations at 50 ft. west of this point, while near the lower or western end the walls on either side are 7 ft. high. The north-west end is formed by a wall 7 ft. high, a low wall, a semi-circular wall, and boulders. On the south side, and opposite the opening in the north-east wall, steps to a somewhat higher level can be traced, leading southwards up from the passage, and these steps have a rounded wall on each side. The rounded end of the north-east main wall is a fine piece of workmanship. The passage is from 3 ft. to 4 ft. wide.
Entrances.—There are five entrances, and each is rounded, and all the buttresses are also rounded. One entrance leads into the ruin on the west side, and there are rounded buttresses on either side, which are erected on a semi-circular platform projecting 16 ft. into the interior. This entrance opens into a passage which was discovered by Bent (1891), but was not opened out till 1903. A second entrance is in the north-east wall, but on its western side only traces of the side wall remain. A third entrance is on the east side of the building. This is 6 ft. high on either side, and is without buttresses or portcullis grooves. The floor of the passage is formed by the foundation walls. This entrance leads into an outer enclosure on the eastern side. The last entrance is between the south end of the large divisional wall and the semi-circular buttress or platform. Possibly a buttress has disappeared from the south side of this entrance.
Divisional walls.—There are two divisional walls, one being the wall already mentioned as separating the two main enclosures. This runs north-east from the large semi-circular buttress for 16 ft. It is 9 ft. high and is well built, and has a drain passing through the lower courses. The north-eastern extremity of this wall is 32 ft. from the inside face of the main north-east wall. The other wall is 15 ft. long, and runs out eastwards from the inside face of the main west wall. This is 7 ft. high, but its height is reduced to 3 ft. at its eastern extremity. It is 3 ft. wide at the surface level.
Drain-holes.—There are three well-constructed drains running through walls; one passes the divisional wall which is on the eastern side of the building, another passes through the main eastern wall into the outer enclosure, and the third is in the east wall of the outer enclosure.
Semi-circular Buttress.—This structure lies on the south side of the ruins, and projects 16 ft. into the interior. The total length round the face is 32 ft. It is 24 ft. across the back, and 10 ft. high on the west, 6 ft. high on the north, and 6 ft. high on the east. It appears to be perfectly solid, and once to have had a level surface. Large trees have grown on its south and west sides, and have done considerable damage to it. Two small walls are on its north-east side, and these run towards the buttress as if they once had formed the approach to the summit.
Outer Enclosure.—On the eastern side is an enclosure, but somewhat roughly built. It is 51 ft. from north to south, and 30 ft. from east to west at its southern end, and 19 ft. from east to west at its northern end. This enclosure has been extensively filled in with soil and the usual Kafir débris, among which were found two pairs of double iron gongs.
West Passage.—This passage, which was discovered by Bent in 1891, runs along the outer side of the main west wall for 60 ft. It is 3 ft. to 4 ft. wide, and the wall on the west side of it is very much dilapidated. From the western entrance to these ruins the passage runs 27 ft. further north, and descends some 29 ft. by means of stairs, and then passes out between high walls on to the granite floor of Renders Ruins, which are in the Middle Section of “The Valley of Ruins.”
General.—The position of the Mauch Ruins on their east and north-east sides is strengthened for defensive purposes by a steep drop of about 12 ft. down on to the level occupied by the Middle Section of “The Valley of Ruins.” This drop is formed by an almost vertical granite glacis, which it would have been very difficult to climb.
Finds.—Gold wire, beaten gold, and gold beads, and portions of sea-green glazed pottery of white clay.
SOUTH-EAST RUINS
These ruins are situated at the south-eastern extremity of the Zimbabwe Ruins’ area where the Valley of Ruins terminates on its eastern side, and are only ten minutes’ walk from Havilah Camp. They occupy a summit of a bare and rounded kopje, commanding most extensive views of the country beyond Schlichter Gorge to the south and of the Arowi district towards the east-north-east. Its position is highly strategetic, and there is a steep descent on the south-west side into a deep gorge, down which the stream rising on the east side of the Elliptical Temple flows toward the Mapudzi.
The area of well-defined walls is 140 ft. from north to south, and 120 ft. from east to west, but there are traces of walls in all directions—on the south at 70 yds. and on the south-west at 20 yds. distance. The formation rock crops to the present surface at many places, and the depth of soil elsewhere is inconsiderable.
The style of building very closely resembles that of Ridge Ruins, which lie between the Elliptical Temple and Havilah Camp, as to which there are considerable doubts of its being of very remote antiquity.
The walls, the majority of which are of massive proportions, are not at all well built, blocks of all sizes and shapes having been employed, and there is little or no attempt to adhere to courses. The present reduced average height of the walls is from 4 ft. to about 6 ft., but, judging from wall débris, every wall must have originally been at least some 7 ft. or 8 ft. in height. The walls are from 4 ft. to 5 ft. wide at base, and 3 ft. to 4 ft. wide at their very much reduced summits.
The plan of the building is laid on curved lines, and the only entrance which remains intact has rounded sides. It is possible these buildings once had six outer and inner entrances. The main entrance appears to have been on the west side.
Zimbabwe
There are about eight enclosures, and in some of these there are remains of very old Makalanga huts, and the soil of the interior is filled with great quantities of Kafir pottery, iron-work, iron slag, cattle bones, and ashes. Two Kafir graves were found, but these were not of any great age. Local natives state their own people once lived here, but not in their time, and this is extremely probable; but they do not think the walls were built by any Makalanga.
On the east side, just outside the main wall, there are three sets of isafuba game-holes cut into the formation rock. Each set has four rows of eight holes each.
The ruins have been but partially examined at several points, but nothing of any antique character has been found here.