(a) Splinters of undoubted soapstone monoliths, some carved with geometrical patterns, have been found in large quantities in the lowest strata of wall-débris at each of the three temples only; sometimes they were found on the formation rock and below the wall débris, but at the foot of all the faces of the walls on the summits of which are at present only slate and unhewn granite are monoliths still more or less complete and erect.
(b) On the summits of walls on which are slate and granite monoliths numerous small fragments of rounded lengths of soapstone, identical with soapstone beams and some similarly carved, have been found. These instances were frequently noticed in all the temples, May-November, 1902, but especially in the Elliptical Temple, where are now only granite and slate monoliths.
Bent deduced from the various succeeding styles of Zimbabwe architecture that the ancient style of workmanship changed its form some time between the period of the earliest builders and the later ones, and this would explain why the original monoliths were of more artistic form, with carvings and decorations. How far this has any connection with the theory of the probable substitution, patent, at any rate, in some instances, of plain and unhewn granite and slate monoliths for the fallen and ornate soapstone monoliths, it might be premature to enlarge upon at present, for, judging by the condition of the oldest walls on which certain granite monoliths are fixed, some of these monoliths sunk deep into the summits of the walls were obviously erected when the walls were originally constructed. For instance, one carved soapstone monolith was found built into a wall on the north side of the Western Temple to a depth of 5 ft., while the original height of the wall could not have been more than 8 ft.
However, both ancient architecture and relics unquestionably prove that between the earliest and the latest periods of ancient occupation there was a marked falling off and decadence in the conception and erection of both buildings and in the character of the articles found.
NUMBER OF MONOLITHS STILL MORE OR LESS ERECT
The number of monoliths still erect, or which have fallen, is as follows, but the number may be further increased as the débris at the bases of the temple walls is examined:—
At Elliptical Temple.—Nine granite monoliths still erect, nine fallen; no slate monoliths erect, five fallen; two granite monoliths, one of which is fractured, stand in No. 5 Enclosure.
At Eastern Temple, Acropolis.—There are no soapstone monoliths now standing, but a considerable number of sections of slate and soapstone monoliths, including bases, were found in the débris. Mr. Posselt, who resided at Zimbabwe before the Chartered Company took possession of the country, states that in 1888 three soapstone beams, with birds on their summits, were standing in the interior of the left-hand side of the West Entrance, and one at the northern end of the summit of the main east wall, on which is the dentelle pattern. The three beams stood on a small raised platform, and as this temple was then used as a cattle kraal, the cattle rubbed against them and eventually pushed over the beams.
At Western Temple, Acropolis.—There are twelve slate and four granite monoliths still standing on the walls, and four slate monoliths, three still intact, have been found in wall-débris. Originally those on the south and west walls were exactly equi-distant. Bent found and removed several sections of different soapstone monoliths, both decorated and plain, but he found no soapstone bird in this temple. In 1891 the lower portion of a soapstone bird was discovered and taken to Johannesburg, and its whereabouts are at present unknown. In August, 1902, the head and neck of this same bird were found, as also a length of the beam upon which it stood, and this is beautifully carved with chevron pattern. This beam originally stood on the summit of the north wall.
All slate monoliths are plain, but many of those of slate have been rounded with tools of which they bear the markings.