THE PARALLEL PASSAGE

This passage, which is one of the most interesting features of ancient architecture at Zimbabwe, is 220 ft. long, and extends from (329 ft.) from the West Entrance to (513 ft.) from the same point, and runs along the inside of the east and north-east of the main wall of the temple, that is, from the Sacred Enclosure to the North Entrance of the temple.

The ancient priests could by means of this long, deep, and exceedingly narrow passage reach the Sacred Enclosure from the exterior of the temple altogether unobserved, seeing that along its whole length it has no communication with any other part of the interior of the temple. It is therefore possible that this passage might have been exclusively used by the ministers of the sacred rites. In it have been found the bulk of the phalli yet discovered at Zimbabwe, and a number of both plain and decorated phalli were found here in August, 1902, when the débris which had covered its floor was being removed. The same surmise might be made with regard to the purpose of the Parallel Passage at the Western Temple on the Acropolis.

The summit of the main wall on the outer side throughout the length of the passage averages from 28 ft. to 31 ft. above its present floor (see Tables of Measurements of Main Walls). The inner parallel wall varies in height, owing to dilapidations caused by past and present trees. This wall averages from 8 ft. to 16 ft. in height. The long and narrow passage between such high walls imparts a most weird and romantic aspect to this portion of the temple. The high, magnificently sweeping, and massive walls tower on either side for a considerable distance on a bold masterly curve that displays in the well-built and regular courses of the walls design and workmanship which always strongly impress the modern builder with unfeigned surprise and wonder.

THE PARALLEL PASSAGE, FROM SOUTH, ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE

At the extremity near the Sacred Enclosure the passage is 4 ft. wide, but at 30 ft. further north-east it is 3 ft. 6 in. wide, at 55 ft. it narrows to 2 ft. 6 in., which width is maintained for about 40 ft., at the end of which it widens out owing to the inner parallel wall being here built upon a comparatively straight line. At (440 ft.) it is 4 ft. 6 in. wide, at (460 ft.) 5 ft. 6 in. wide, at (480 ft.) 7 ft., and at (513 ft.), which is its northern extremity, it narrows to 2 ft. 6 in. Between (490 ft.) and (513 ft.) there is a large gap in the main wall, where its inner face has collapsed into the passage. The bottom of the gap is about 6 ft. above the present level of the passage floor.

West Entrance to
PARALLEL PASSAGE
Elliptical Temple

Between (349 ft.) and (362 ft.) the inner parallel wall has collapsed into the passage, but the débris has now been cleared away. Between (470 ft.) and (500 ft.) the inner wall has been reduced by falls to a height of only 6 ft. 9 in.

The north wall of the Sacred Enclosure (east) is continued for 55 ft. as the west wall of the passage. This section is obviously a reconstruction of a later date, the joints with this wall and the rest of the older and better-built wall at the south end can be seen near the small conical tower in the Sacred Enclosure, the opposite side of this joint being distinctly noticeable in No. 11 Enclosure. The joint at the north-eastern end of this reconstructed section of wall can be seen near (375 ft.), where the older wall recommences. This less excellently reconstructed wall shows a far greater amount of dilapidation than does the older portion. This circumstance is to be noticed in more than a score of other instances of reconstruction of lengths of older walls, the invariable experience in Zimbabwe architecture being that the reconstructed portions are much less lasting, although they are of later date, and these reconstructions always show a depression in their summits at the joints with the older portions of the wall.

The entrance into this passage from the Sacred Enclosure is the east entrance mentioned in the description of that enclosure, and is at (320 ft.). It is formed by rounded buttresses, 7 ft. high, on either side of the passage. The entrance is 2 ft. 6 in. wide, 9 ft. long (including the steps at either end), and has portcullis grooves of unusually large size. It is approached from the Sacred Enclosure by three large, broad, and deep block steps, which are still in a very good state of preservation, not one block being missing or even out of place. The floor is excellently paved with blocks. On the passage side of the entrance are three block steps also in a splendid condition, but these are narrower, as the rounded foundation of the west buttress projects 7 in. into the passage further than the upper portion of the buttress.

Immediately inside this entrance, and against the base of the main wall, is a raised level with rounded edges made of granite cement. This is 7 ft. long, 1 ft. 10 in. wide, and 3 in. higher than cement flooring, and 6 in. high at its north-east end above a step-down in the floor. Between this raised cement level and the west wall of the passage is a cemented floor 4 ft. 4 in. long, with a rounded face at its north-east end, this face forming the step-down just mentioned. The floor from this point northwards to (335 ft.) has been broken through by excavators, but from (335 ft.) northwards to (425 ft.) the cement flooring still remains intact. From (425 ft.) to the northern end of the passage the floor has been torn up by explorers.

PARALLEL PASSAGE, FROM NORTH, ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE

Evidently the ancients were thoroughly well versed in the art of sanitation, for the lengths of cemented flooring are divided into catchment areas, separated from each other by raised step-barriers 4 in. high, 3 ft. 10 in. broad, laid across the passage. These are made of granite cement and have rounded edges. The floor has a slight fall on either side of these raised barriers, and in the lowest part of each area is a drain-hole passing through the main wall, the object evidently being to divide up the rainfall so that each drain should only have such a quantity of water as its capacity would allow it to carry off. The drain-holes passing outwards and downwards through the main walls are at (352 ft.), (391 ft. 6 in.), (442 ft.), and (471 ft.). These are believed to have once been lined with yellow granite cement. It is possible that other drains from this passage-way may yet be found.

Near (396 ft.) is a drain-hole leading into the passage from No. 14 Enclosure.

The floor at the extreme north end of the passage has not yet been uncovered, as it would be unsafe to remove any more depth of soil owing to the threatening condition of the wall at the gap before mentioned.

Near (338 ft.) is a flat granite beam 6 ft. long, which has evidently fallen from the summit of the main wall.

The Parallel Passage and Sacred Enclosure were used by old and recent generations of Makalanga as places in which to deposit their ash, pottery, iron, and bone débris, and this was found in places to a height of 3 ft. and 4 ft. The bones were of animals, mostly of buck, but some of oxen, and all had been split open for the marrow, as is usually found to be the case in all Makalanga débris heaps whether at any ruins or at their villages. Being sunless and damp these two places for occupation purposes appear to have been avoided by them.

SOUTH ENTRANCE TO PARALLEL PASSAGE, LOOKING SOUTH, ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE

PART OF PLATFORM AREA, LOOKING WEST, SHEWING DRAIN FROM No. 10 ENCLOSURE, ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE

CHAPTER XIII
THE ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE
(Continued)

The Platform—Enclosures Nos. 9 to 15—Central area—Platform area—Inner Parallel Passage—South Passage—West Passage—North-East Passage—Outer Parallel Passage.