Less Known Ruins in Rhodesia. 



483 



In a few districts diabase blocks were used, evidently in the 

 absence of granite. In others this rock was evidently introduced as 

 ai' ornament. Slabs of black or dark red ironstone shales were fre- 

 quently used for ornamental courses, or for forming variations of 

 some of the patterns built in the walls. 



r^^. 



REGIXA KCINS. PC)KTK)N OF WALL SHEWING CHEVROX, SLOPING BLOCK, 

 HERRIXG-BOXE, CHECK PATTERXS ; ALSO COURSES OF DARK STOXE. 



As a rule, the walls of these ruins ran in an irregular manner 

 round a suitable granite boss, one axis being longer than the other. 

 An irregular elliptical figure would thus be formed. 



The best built ruin discovered, called the " Temple," at Zim- 

 babwe, is a fairly regular elliptical figure about 300 feet by 230 feet, 

 but it is by no means so regular in its curves as some would have us 

 believe, and although several ingenious and interesting theories have 

 been advanced as to significance of curves, of orientation, of the 

 special object of the ornamental work in the walls, of apertures or 

 entrances, and as regards standard of measurement used, it is far 

 from being prO'ved that these theories are based on satisfactory data. 

 On the contrary, Mr. F. P. Mennell. in a special report written for 

 the Rhodesian Museum, on the Zimbabwe ruins, distinctlv states 





