NORTH PARAPET
This structure is at the outer and northern base of the large curved main wall of the Western Temple, on which are the small towers and monoliths, where it curves towards the north-east and runs parallel with it for 44 ft. In this parapet is a rising passage with steps leading from the North-West Ancient Ascent up to the main wall, where it once passed through it and curved into Platform Enclosure where it can still be walked along. The point where this passage went through the main wall has been blocked up by the Makalanga, and the wall is so very dilapidated that it would be altogether unsafe to clear the entrance of the obstructing blocks.
The parapet was evidently once more extended towards the east, but the fall of débris from the broken end of the main wall has carried the parapet below away.
The western extremity of this parapet is formed by a wall 11 ft. long projecting at right angles from the foot of the main wall. This wall is 8 ft. high and is 4 ft. wide on its present reduced summit. From opposite the north end of this wall commences the west side wall of the ancient ascent described later.
Immediately on the east side of the wall forming the western extremity of the parapet there are steps rising 3 ft. 6 in. facing north and leading up to the sunken passage on the parapet, and above these steps the passage turns east at right angles along the centre of the parapet.
The width of the parapet is 11 ft., and this width is divided as follows: width of passage 3 ft., of outer parapet wall 4 ft., and of inner wall 3 ft. 6 in. The passage rises 8 ft. between where it enters the North Parapet and where it rounds off towards the south-east through the main wall. The outer and inner walls are 3 ft. to 4 ft. above the passage floor, but the outer wall was probably once very much higher. There are traces of steps in the passage.
The height of the north face of the North Parapet from above the filled-in floor on the outside is from 9 ft. to 11 ft. This floor contains the remains of a rather old Makalanga hut.
A parapet wall of a similar character runs from the western end of North Parapet along the outer base of the main wall, and this is described later under the title of Western Parapet.