(4) The large raised platform formed by the looped wall, and originally approached by steps on the west side, somewhat corresponds in position with the Platform in the Elliptical Temple and at the Western Temple, and with the Balcony at the Eastern Temple.
Conical Tower.—This is situated in the most north-easterly enclosure of these ruins. It is still 6 ft. 6 in. in height, but judging from the block débris it was once much higher. At 3 ft. 6 in. above the granite cement floor at its base it has a circumference of 18 ft. 10 in. It is impossible to measure the circumference of its base, as a large rounded cement step extends between it and the south wall of the enclosure. The tower, which has a fair and noticeable batter-back, is very well built. It has been proved to be solid. Its foundations are 6 in. below the cement floor. There are four of these small conical towers at Zimbabwe, two having been discovered in March, 1903. On the east side of this tower, and built up against its east side, is a small rounded platform 3 ft. high, covered with granite cement, which is approached by two large steps.
Entrances.—There are three entrances to these ruins—the north, north-east, and east—and most probably others will be found as further exploration work is carried on here.
The north entrance appears to have been the main approach. This is an intricate entrance, and one which appears to have possessed considerable importance in the minds of the original builders. It lies between two outer rounded walls, each 6 ft. high, which curve inwards towards each other so as to form a passage-way about 6 ft. wide, which is again narrowed at its southern extremity to 2 ft. 6 in. by two rounded buttresses on either side. These buttresses have portcullis grooves. The area opens into a small walled-in area, 10 ft. by 10 ft., the walls being 6 ft. high, and very well and substantially built. The floor is made of granite cement. There are three rounded walls in this area. A buttress with a portcullis groove is in the south-western corner of the area, but the corresponding buttress has disappeared. The walled-in area would have enabled twenty defenders to protect the 2 ft. 6 in. wide entrance from being forced by an attacking party. The west side of the entrance passage is carried further south by two walls, each built upon a semi-circular plan.
The north-east entrance opens into the enclosure which contains the Conical Tower already described. The side walls are 5 ft. high, and 4 ft. and 5 ft. wide at this height from the floor. The entrance is 2 ft. 4 in. wide, and including the steps it is 9 ft. long. A semi-circular platform projects 6 ft. into the enclosure, and on it are built two rounded buttresses with portcullis grooves. These buttresses are in an advanced state of dilapidation. There are three steps between these buttresses, and these lead down on to the floor of the interior. An immense slate beam rises out of the ground immediately on the north-east side of the exterior of the entrance.
At present only the south side of the east entrance has been opened out. This is 4 ft. high, and is rounded. On the inner side is a semi-circular buttress hollow inside with an opening into it from the south side.
All the entrances, of which there are seven in the divisional walls, are rounded, and most have portcullis grooves.
At the centre of the eastern face of the curved wall is a rounded entrance with portcullis groove, in which is built a slate beam which stands 8 ft. above the floor. The total length of the beam is at least 11 ft. This is the most perfect specimen of all the stone lintels built in portcullis grooves.
Enclosures.—Judging from sections of divisional walls, there were in all probability no less than sixteen enclosures in these ruins. Some were of large area, but subdivided. All the divisional walls are laid on curved lines. The only complete enclosure is the one on the north side, where is the Conical Tower. The wall on the south side is from 5 ft. to 9 ft. high, on the west side 5 ft. to 10 ft., and on the north side, which is the main outer wall of the ruins, 5 ft. This latter wall, which is curved outwards towards the north-east, is 4 ft. wide at 5 ft. above the ground. A cement floor is laid around the tower. The west entrance was described earlier under the heading of “Entrances.”
Buttresses.—In these ruins are numerous rounded buttresses. A large semi-circular buttress 4 ft. to 5 ft. high, 22 ft. round the face, 9 ft. from back to front, and 12 ft. across the back, faces the east and outer side of the centre of the curved wall, from which point the buttress is due east at 25 ft. distance. On the west side of this buttress is a passage with cement floor, rounded steps, and dadoes.