There are three entrances through the outer walls, and these are on the west, south, and east, and all are rounded; two have buttresses, one has portcullis grooves, and the foundation forms the passage floor in each case. Two divisional entrances now only remain, and these are also rounded.
Immediately inside the west entrance and on the north side is what appears to have been a raised platform, facing west, about 4 ft. above the original floor. This may have an area of 15 ft. from north to south by 12 ft. from east to west, but the artificial filling-in of the ruin with soil has raised the interior surface to the level of this platform. Probably, as at other ruins at Zimbabwe with identical platforms in corresponding positions, this afforded a look-out overlooking the entrance. On the eastern side of these ruins there is a similar but smaller structure which may have answered the same purpose.
In the eastern enclosure and on the east face of the west wall is a recess starting upwards from the ground. This is 3 ft. high, 1 ft. 10 in. wide, and the blocks on each side respectively are flush-edged with each other. The recess goes back about the length of two blocks (see Architecture—Blind Recesses).
These ruins have been artificially filled in with soil to a depth of 3 ft. to 5 ft. by native occupiers of a comparatively late date, for the soil on the surface and downwards to the bottom of the filling-in is thick with old native pottery and the broken-up remains of Kafir huts.
Although almost every relic-hunter seems to have paid attention to these ruins, nothing of any antique value has been found here. Probably when the original occupiers left the granite floors were still exposed, and any objects found there may have been removed long before the filling-in took place. So far, there is no evidence that any industry—whether of ancient, mediæval, or modern occupiers—has ever been carried on in this building.
OTHER RUINS WITHIN THE ZIMBABWE RUINS’ AREA
Bentberg (Matusu).—This kopje, which is 240 ft. above the threshold of the West Entrance to the Elliptical Temple, lies immediately south and south-west of the temple. Only 200 yds. separate the building from the foot of the hill. Here are many signs of very old occupations in the form of ruined terrace walls apparently of the Zimbabwe style, but of a very late period. The local Makalanga state that though their predecessors of the same race have had kraals on this hill, the terrace walls are not of any Makalanga construction; and this appears to be obvious. Further, though Makalanga pottery is abundant, yet there can be found both pottery and cement of a very superior quality and make; and such are repudiated by the natives as having been made by Amangwa, Makalanga, or Barotse. Great quantities of quartz broken into very small splinters are to be found in large areas on the hill. The nearest quartz reefs are six miles west of Zimbabwe. The older remains of terraces—many buried in silted soil—are to be found on the north side of the hill, but traces of walls can be met with extending almost to the summit and round the western flank. It is impossible to imagine that the ancients did not in some manner occupy the hill, as otherwise the Elliptical Temple would have been exposed on its south side without any defences. The old Barotse had a kraal at the foot of the north side of the hill just above the spot where are still the traces of Bent’s camp.
Rusivanga Kopje.—This hill (190 ft.) rises from the Zimbabwe Valley at some 300 yds. west of Havilah Camp. It is directly on the right of the road from Victoria to Zimbabwe at about a third of a mile from the main ruins, the road passing between it and Makuma Kopje on which is Mogabe’s kraal. The northern and eastern faces of this hill show in places from base to summit abundant evidence of occupations by ancients and also by very old Makalanga and Barotse. The remains of walls are in most instances of inferior construction, though at some points the courses of excellently built wall can be traced. There are also rudely built ramparts and enclosure walls of some later period. On the summit of the hill was once a fort. Fragments of soapstone, slate, quartz, and ironstone are to be found, also large stone-crushers, some excellent pottery, and cement work of superior quality. At one point is a cement wall carried across the top of a boulder. There are stone foundations of Makalanga huts which are circular and lined with cement, and winnowing floors with raised edges. On the eastern side of the hill two sets of isafuba game-holes have been cut into the surface of the granite rock. Each of these has thirty-six holes. On the west side and near the summit there are at least thirty different sets of game-holes cut into the granite, the holes of the sets varying in size. On the open granite areas on the hill are several places where deep depressions have been worn into the rock, evidently by the sharpening of tools or by grinding stones.
Ruin on Bingura’s Path.—This is located on the left-hand side of the path leading to Bingura’s kraal at about half a mile from the camp. Only its south-east wall is now standing, but its outlines can be traced by piles of blocks on all other sides. The area covered is about half an acre. The wall is well and substantially built, and is still 6 ft. high. This appears to be of very old construction. There have been no important “finds” made here, the ruin not having yet been examined. It occupies a strategetic position on slightly raised ground in the valley between the Bentberg and Rusivanga.