5i4 Ri:P(JRn S.A.A. AoViSNCIiMENX OF SciJiNCE. 



(4) The large raised platform formed by the looped wall at the 

 southern extremity of the curved wall and originally ajiproached by 

 steps, twO' of which still remain. 



At the west side; of the curved wall and at the centre of the 

 curve is a wall 2^ feet long, projecting into the interior of the ruins. 

 This is 3 feet high at its western extremity, but its summit rapidly 

 rises tO' 8 feet, ft has a slight curve towards the south-west and 

 rounds off toiwards the north. On its north side there is a small recess 

 extending from base to* summit, exactly similar in construction to 

 the recesses in Rece-ss Enclosure on the Acropolis. 



On either side of this wall and in the angles formed by the main 

 curved wall and the projecting wall are low granite cement platforms, 

 with rounded faces. These resemble the " blind steps ' found in the 

 angles of all main ruins at Zimbabwe. 



Conical Vo^ccr. - This is situated in the norlherh enclosure of 

 these ruins. It is still 6 feet 6 inches in height, but. according to 

 block debris, it has been much higher. At 3 feet 6 inches above the 

 base it has a circumference of 18 feet 10 inches. It is impossiljle 

 to measure the circumference at its base, as a large rounded granite 

 cement step' extends between it and the south wall of the enclosure. 

 The tower, which has a fair extent of batter-back, is verv well con- 

 structed. It has been proved tO' be solid. The measurements of 

 this tower are almo.st identical with those of the conical tower recently 

 (March. 1903) discovered in Posselt Ruins, which immediately ad- 

 joins these ruins. Its foundations are 9 inches below the granite 

 cement floor which surrounds its base. There are four small conical 

 towers at Zimbabwe, of which three were discovered in 1903. 



( )ne the east .'-ide of this tower, and built up against it, is a 

 small rounded ])latform 3 feet high, covered with granite cement, 

 which is api)roached bv twO' large steps. 



Entrances. -There are three entrances to these ruin.s — the 

 north, north-east, and east — but most probabh others will be found 

 as further exploration work is carried out here. The north entrance 

 appears tO' ha\e been the main approach. This is an intricate 

 entrance, and one which appears tO' have possessed considerable 

 importance in the minds of the original l)uilders. It lies between 

 two outer curved walls, which round off towards each other in the 

 form of a trumpet. I'hese curve inwards so^ as to form a passage 

 way 6 feet Avide, which at 1 o feet further south is narrowed tO' 2 feet 

 6 inches by two rounded buttresses, one on either side, and these 

 ha\e portcullis grooves. The entrance opens into a walled-in area, 

 10 feet by 10 feet, the walls being 6 feet high and very well and sub- 

 stantially built. There are three rounded walls in this area, and the 

 floor is made of granite cement. A buttress with portcullis grooves 

 is on the south-western corner of this area, but the corresponding 

 buttress has disapjjeared. The Avalled-in area would have enabled 

 twenty defenders to protect the 2 feet 6 inches wide entrance from 

 being forced 1)\ an attacking party, even if strong in point of num- 

 bers. The eastern side of this entrance is carried on for 15 feet fur- 

 ther south by (wo walls, each built upon a semi-circular plan. 



