Great Zimbabwe. 513 



foundation of the wall, and forms part of it It is 2 feet wide and 6 

 feet 6 inches long (the width of the foundation), and has on the 

 inside and on either side of the entrance two rounded Vjuttresses, 

 with jx)rtcullis grooves. These buttresses are l)uilt u[X)n a semi- 

 circular platform projecting 6 feet into the interior of the building, 

 and so making the entrance passage about 12 feet in length. The 

 floor of the entrance is covered with granite cement pavement. 



One peculiar feature in the construction of this wall is that the 

 northern extremity is rounded off, while the southern extremity, 

 though also rounded off. is extended by a wall equally as well built, 

 which forms a loop, turning round on an oval plan into the east face 

 of the main curved wall, enclosing an area of 10 feet by 11 feet. 

 The wall of this loop is well constructed, the average height being 

 6 feet, but on the south side it rises to 10 feet, at which point the 

 reduced summit is 5 feet wide. The interior was filled in with stones 

 to a depth of 2 feet, and when this debris was removed a granite 

 cement floor was disclosed, suggestive of this loop-shaped enclosure 

 being a raised platform similar in purpose to the platforms in the 

 Elliptical Temple and in the Western Temple on the Acropolis. 

 On the west of this loop are two walls, 4 feet and 6 feet high, form- 

 ing an alcove. It is possible that this alcove once contained steps 

 up on to the platform formed by the looped enclosure. 



It must be remembered that the massi\e curved wall is not an 

 outer wall, but one apparently built on special design so far as its 

 plan, superior character of construction, and possible purpose are 

 concerned. It occupies the central portion of these ruins, with its 

 extremities l}ing north and south. 



The purpose for its erection might possibly ha\"e been for solar 

 anrl astronomical observation, and though this is a mere conjecture, 

 the following points might lend that conjecture some support : — 



(i) In close proximity to and at the northern end of the curved 

 wall was discovered the soapstone beam with carved bird on the 

 summit, this being the best sj:>ecimen yet discovered at Zimbabwe. 

 These relics have so far only been found at the Western and Eastern 

 Temples on the Acropolis. Also other ancient relics of various 

 kinds were discovered, including Phalli. 



(2) The discovery under the wall-debris, which lay along each 

 side of the wall at its base, of quantities of lengths of broken soai>- 

 stone beams. Though mosth without patterns, they have all been 

 beautifully worked and rounded with tools (tool markings of two sizes 

 of tools, most probably of iron, were used in working the stone, and the 

 chisel marks were done with sharp, clear-cutting instruments). These 

 beams are believe<l tO' have originally decorated the summit of the 

 wall, a suggestion supported by the shape and markings on the 

 bases of several beams so discovered. No other portions of soap- 

 stone beams have .st) far been found in these ruins. Soapstone 

 beams have been found in the.se ruins and at the three temples. 



(3) The proximity of a small cijiiical tower at the northern ex- 

 tremitv of the curved wall. 



