Less Known Ruins in Rhodesia. 489 



The " Check or chess board " pattern is fonned by leaving out 

 alternate blocks, the dark cavity remaining forming a marked con- 

 trast with the grey face of the wall. From one to nine courses will 

 be so treated, and the effect produced is ver)- striking. 



KHAMI RIIXS. HERRING-BONE PATTERN. 



A special style of ornamental work can be seen at Zimbabwe, 

 where large beams or posts of granite and soapstone have been fixed 

 into the top of some of the walls, generally in an inclined position. 

 Early visitors to these ruins report the existence of a larger number 

 of these " monoliths " than can be seen now. They probably have 

 a special significance. Great care must be observed in discrimi- 

 nating between the objects found in these ruins. They vary from 

 the iron skeleton frame of the modem umbrella to the stone imple- 

 ment or arrow head of the possibly most ancient inhabitant of 

 South Africa. 



Messrs. Hall and Neal give a detailed account of the most 

 noteworthy articles which have been found, and these embrace : — 

 iron and brass cannon, silver utensils, crockery, glass, beads, etc., 

 indicating the presence of, or occupation by, the Portuguese; iron and 

 copper articles, such as bangles, assegais, etc., supposed tO' repre- 

 sent comparatively recent Kafir occupation ; worked gold in plates, 

 bangles, beads, wire, tacks, ferules, etc., which are considered to be 

 typical of the ancient builders, who, in search of the precious metal, 

 penetrated into the. to them, uttermost part of the world. 



The question as to who these builders really were is one which 

 cannot be dealt with in a paper of this description. The absence of 

 clues to guide the investigator is remarkable. The age of the ruins 



