W 25 ft. N. to S., and 20 ft. E. to W.
X 15 ft. 〃 26 ft. 〃
Y 12 ft. 〃 22 ft. 〃
Z 16 ft. 〃 19 ft. 〃
RIDGE RUINS
These ruins are situated on the highest point of the bare granite ridge which extends from the north-west of the Elliptical Temple towards the north-west, and curves towards the north, where it terminates at Havilah Camp.
The southern extremity of these ruins is 140 yds. from the north-west side of the Elliptical Temple and 100 yds. west of No. 1 Ruins. The path from the outspan and camp to the water springs and the Elliptical Temple passes close to its west side, while another path to the Temple passes close to its east side. The Outer Defence Wall, which runs from the west side of the Temple round towards the west, north-west, and north of the Acropolis Hill, runs parallel to the west side of these ruins at a distance of 96 ft. A number of euphorbia trees and aloes line its walls, which are now comparatively low, the highest parts being about 9 ft.
The whale-back granite glacis on which these ruins are built dips sharply from immediately outside the walls all round these ruins, except at the south-east end, which is here only slightly higher than the present ground level outside the Elliptical Temple. Except for vegetable mould at a few points, the whole of the floors of these ruins are formed by the formation rock.
The plan of these ruins shows an oval area, with a long and wide outer passage running along its east side for 246 ft. from the north to the south of the oval enclosure, this passage having its southern extremity well protected by traverses and buttressed entrances.
These ruins, though built of irregularly sized stones, have the faces of the walls which still remain remarkably true and even, so much so that experienced builders after examining the walls state that with such irregularly sized stones it would be most difficult to erect walls with faces as true as those of these ruins. There appears to be no similarity whatever between the second-period architecture and construction and these ruins, except that the filling-in of the walls between their faces is more promiscuous than is the case with walls of first-period architecture and construction. Its entrances and buttresses are all rounded, and the walls have a fair batter-back, there being no plumb wall present.
Sketch Plan
RIDGE RUINS
Zimbabwe.
It would be difficult to state the purpose these ruins were intended to serve, but seeing they occupy the most westerly position of the main ruins’ area, and that they are built on a commanding and strategetic position, it might be inferred, if their claim to any great antiquity were established, that their purpose was that of a fort, defending not only the westerly side of the main ruins’ area, but also part of a main line of communication, of which the Parallel Passage formed a section, between the Elliptical Temple and the west end of the Acropolis Hill. This suggestion is, in fact, apparently supported by the numerous traverses in the passage, traces of which can still be noticed, and by the fact that the oval enclosure overlooks the passage throughout its length. But, as stated before, these ruins cannot at present be classed as ancient, though they are undoubtedly of great age.