There are two entrances still more or less intact, one on the south-west side leading into No. 6 Enclosure, and the other at the north corner, but facing west. Possibly there was also an entrance on the east side, where a gigantic fig tree, 50 ft. high, now stands.
The south-west entrance (see section) is protected on the inside by rounded buttresses on either side, which project 2 ft. 6 in. into the enclosure. These buttresses, of which only the lower courses now remain, are built upon, and at each end of, a semi-circular base 11 ft. long protruding 4 ft. 6 in. into the enclosure, the face courses of which curve inwards, one above and behind, the other between the side buttresses, and so form steps up to the entrance, the courses above the steps being carried round the buttresses. There are no traces of portcullis grooves. This is a form of steps found in the entrances through the main wall of the temple, and in the entrances in many ruins of the oldest or first-period style of architecture, whether at Zimbabwe or elsewhere in the country.
WEST ENTRANCE TO No. 7 ENCLOSURE, ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE
SOUTH WALL OF No. 7 ENCLOSURE, SHEWING PART (TO LEFT) RECONSTRUCTED, ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE
The north entrance is of exactly similar construction, but is in a better state of preservation, the one buttress remaining being still 5 ft. high. This entrance has portcullis grooves.
The best-built portion of the walls of this enclosure is undoubtedly that of the curved wall which extends from south-west to north. This is a fine piece of work, and the face of the wall is very regular. This wall is from 11 ft. to 13 ft. high on the inside, and 11 ft. to 14 ft. high on the outside, and is 4 ft. 6 in. wide in its present summit, the line of which is even except at its extremities. Judging by the block débris, this wall might once have been fully 2 ft. to 3 ft. higher. The centre of the outward curve of the wall is 11 ft. west from a line drawn between the extreme points of the curve.
The south wall may be divided into two sections, the westerly portion being well built, and the easterly portion very poorly constructed, having numerous straight joints, disappearing and false courses, and is built of stones of all sizes and shapes. This latter part is evidently a reconstruction at a later date and on the old foundations. Where the joint was made between the old and the later walls is very clearly discernible, while there is a deep depression in the summit of the wall at this point. These depressions almost always exist in joints between old and later walls. This wall is 32 ft. long, between 8 ft. and 9 ft. high, and is 4 ft. wide on its reduced summit.
The eastern side is in four lengths: (1) a small portion of wall in the south-east corner 6 ft. long, 6 ft. high, and 4 ft. wide; (2) a gap of 14 ft., evidently made by past and present trees; (3) a wall 7 ft. high, 13 ft. long, and 3 ft. wide on its summit (the lower portion of this section is built up against (4), but in the upper section it is built into it); and (4) a wall 16 ft. long, 9 ft. high, 4 ft. wide on summit. This wall has been partly ruined at its western end by the roots of a large tree.