HITTITES IN AFRICA. 



By J. K. Erskine. 



Among- the many directions in which the increase of knowledge 

 has brought about that widening of our outlook on the universe, 

 which has been so marked a feature of the present ae^e, there are 

 few in which the results of research have been of more general 

 interest than in those which have dissipated some of the obscurity 

 which veiled the past. Year by year, the investigations of the 

 archaeologist are bringing to the light the history of nations, the 

 memory of whose achievements had altogether passed away, 

 whose very names had been forgotten. 



In all parts of the world discoveries have been made which 

 have contributed, or will yet contribute, to the elucidation of 

 these problems relating to the past, and here also in South Africa, 

 far removed although we are from the ancient centres of civiliza- 

 tion, we have before us a wide field for investigation only partially 

 explored, the results of the exploration of which, when rightly 

 interpreted, cannot fail to add to our knowledge of the growth of 

 civilization and the history of human progress. 



Of the archaeological and ethnological problems which con- 

 front us in this country, one of the most important perhaps is that 

 which relates to the identification of the races who are responsible 

 for the ancient workings and ruins of Rhodesia. In venturing to 

 discuss this matter, and to suggest anything in addition to the 

 theories which have already been brought forward on the subject, 

 I feel that I may well be held guilty of presumption, more espe- 

 cially as I can make no claim to speak as an expert on the sub- 

 ject and can bring forward no new facts, where there would seem 

 to be more need of facts, than theories. I can only endeavour to 

 put forward the impression made on my mind, by such of the 

 available evidence as has come to my notice. 



The first point perhaps, which strikes one on entering uoon 

 any consideration of the subejct of these ancient workings and 

 ruins, is their extraordinary number and the great stretch of 

 country over which they are found. Mr. R. N. Hall speaks of 

 over 500 distinct sets of ruins, and almost everyone who has 

 travelled to any extent in Rhodesia, and even manv whose travels 

 have not been extensive, but who are well acquainted with some 

 limited area, can tell of ancient workings and ruins of which no 

 record has hitherto been made. A great part of Southern 

 Rhodesia, in fact, is riddled with the mines of the gold seekers 

 of bygone days and is strewn with the ruins of their towns and 

 fortres<;es. In the Transvaal also, as is well known are many 

 old workings ; many of these may be of comparatively modern 

 origin, but there are some which may on investigation prove to 

 be of g-reat antiquity ; particularly interesting on account of the 

 obscuri^^y which surrounds the Question of the supnlv of tin in the 

 ancient world, are the old workings for tin in the Rooiberg-, which 

 extend over a line of about five miles. 



