SIR JOHN LUBBOCK once observed that one antiquarian relic found by itself was no testimony as to any particular ancient occupation of the spot at which it was discovered, but that the discovery of many identical relics in one place, and under identical conditions, might be considered as evidence of such occupation. Single specimens are known to have been transported from one hemisphere to another during the course of three or four thousand years.
At Great Zimbabwe it is not, except in a few instances, with single relics that we have to deal, but with those found in tens and scores, practically in identical and corresponding locations, and under exactly similar conditions. So regularly are these relics situated on certain floors that, with a few exceptions explained later, one is always certain as to the class of relics which will be met with on any particular floor which is being cleared. Of course, these relics and “finds” are not distributed generally on their respective floors, and frequently the realisation of one’s hopes of meeting with them were greatly deferred, while on other occasions half an hour’s work yielded them in quantities. Still, when once found, they were generally abundant—at least, on those floors that were expected to yield them.
SOAPSTONE BEAMS WITH BIRDS, ZIMBABWE
South African Museum, Cape Town
A small quantity of articles having claim to some antiquity were found out of relative position to the bulk of similar relics. For instance, phalli, which were found in quantities on certain floors in the eastern half only of the Elliptical Temple, also at the Eastern and Western Temples on the hill, and at Philips Ruins in the Valley of Ruins, have, in some few instances, been found singly, but most frequently fractured or damaged, in positions which could not have been those occupied by any of the ancient inhabitants. Single specimens are sometimes found in the débris piles immediately outside the entrances to the three temples and Philips Ruins. Those found lower in such piles were no doubt thrown out by old native peoples who would not be aware of their purpose. Some of these have been converted into amulets or charms, while others are known to have been used for making daha (hemp) pipe-bowls. Those phalli found in the higher portions of such débris piles are shown by the stratification of the débris to have been brought out by the numerous relic hunters by whom the excavated soil from the interiors was deposited on these débris heaps outside. This experience extends also to almost all the more antique relics found at Zimbabwe.
Section of Floors of part of
No 15 ENCLOSURE
Elliptical Temple
looking North-West & shewing locations of “Finds” 11902–31.
The phalli found at Zimbabwe must now amount to at least one hundred, of which more than half have been found recently. It is very probable that on further examination of the lower floors of these four ruins other specimens will be met with. The phalli found vary in size and design. The largest (Pl. I., fig. 6) stood 7½ in. high, was perfectly plain, but highly polished. The smallest were seven-eighths of an inch long, but each had its base bevelled and a ring carved round the summit. Except where the base is fractured, all stand erect on any tolerably flat surface. The bases show signs of extensive scratchings, as if they had been constantly moved. The average heights of the phalli are from two to four inches. Round the bases of many of the recently discovered phalli are small bevels, sometimes in two circles. The majority were unadorned, but their identity was unmistakable. The more ornate specimens bore the “female breast and furrow” pattern, one had chevron pattern round its bevelled base, several showed the circumcisional markings, and on the top of one (Pl. I., figs. 12 and 13) were carved in relief rosettes formed of a circle completely surrounded by eight small circles, the latter a pattern which is frequently found on soapstone beams and bowls, and is also used to form the eyes of one of the soapstone birds found at Zimbabwe.
Worked and decorated soapstone beams have been found only in four localities within the ruins’ area, viz. (1) the Elliptical Temple, on the summit and at the bases of the main east and south-east wall within the limits of the chevron pattern; (2) also in quantities on the summit and at the base of the circular granite cement platform which lies to the north of the Conical Tower; (3) on the summit and at the bases of the north wall of the Western Temple on the hill; (4) on the summit and at the bases of the arc wall of the Eastern Temple, decorated with dentelle pattern and facing east; (5) on or near the two granite cement platforms in the interior, and on the site of Mr. Bent’s “altar,” also in the same temple; and (6) on the summit and at the bases of the arc wall facing east at Philips Ruins, the fragments of beams found at this latter place being exceedingly numerous. Splinters of soapstone beams are found in the soil in the larger ruins, showing that some of the beams fell from their position and became fractured after the filling in with soil which took place at least one hundred and fifty years ago. Few, if any, worked soapstone beams were found in any of the Valley Ruins, save at Philips. All beams have been worked, and the marks of the tools and their sizes can still be seen on many; some are also carved, the chevron pattern predominating.
PLATE 1.