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

by R. N. Hall

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.

Sketch Plan MAUCH RUINS “Valley of Ruins” (Upper Section)

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.