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

On the summits of these two large boulders are traces of a substantial wall once having been carried across them.

SOUTH PASSAGE

This passage is almost opposite the south end of Buttress Passage and leads from the East Passage to the edge of the south precipice, dividing South Enclosures A and B. It is 38 ft. long, from 1 ft. 6 in. to 2 ft. wide, and at each extremity has rounded ends on either side. The wall on the east side averages 3 ft. to 7 ft. in height, the highest being at the southern end. The wall on the west side averages 7 ft. to 12 ft. in height.

The existence of this passage was, until July, 1902, unsuspected, as it had been filled up and entirely covered over with wall débris, across which was the visitors’ path, which crossed the débris at 7 ft. above the present exposed floor.

SOUTH ENCLOSURE B

This enclosure is on the east side of South Passage, and overlooks the south precipice. Its area is 37 ft. from east to west, and 31 ft. from north to south. The wall on the north side is 16 ft. high, and 4 ft. 6 in. wide at 5 ft. from the floor, and is the best-built portion now remaining. It has three rounded entrances, one from South Passage and two from East Passage. Low walls of poor construction subdivide the enclosure into three compartments, but some portions of these walls are not believed to be ancient.

SOUTH ENCLOSURE C

This is on the north-east side of South Enclosure B, but on a level of some 6 ft. higher. The area is 41 ft. from east to west, and 19 ft. from north to south. The eastern wall curves outwards, and is 9 ft. high. The north side is formed by a large boulder, the west side by a raised parapet which is the eastern extremity of East Passage. There is one entrance only, and this is in the south-western corner. Here the south wall is very well built. A wall 3 ft. 6 in. high and 9 ft. long juts out southwards from the boulder on the north side.

CENTRAL PASSAGE

This passage connects Cleft Rock Enclosure and the Eastern Temple and forms the most direct communication between the western and eastern extremities of the Acropolis. This passage is practically the north-east extension of Pattern Passage, the two joining end on at the west entrance to the Eastern Temple. Cliffs and huge boulders form the main portion of its sides.