The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-25


of being made known to the world OF to-day
may be seen from the evidences, which show
that n very large area was extensively WORKED
for gold by an unknown people, who have leit
no traces by which they may be ldenuhed'
The old workings, or better, the ancient work
ings, consist both Of shafts and cuttings OF Yari-
Gus kinds The shafts arc sometimes 40 or
more feet deep. with tunnels of unknown
length. The walls of some OF these have fallen
in, and others have large trees growing IN
them, which show that they were made very
long time ago.
On the surface ofthe ground about the open
Ines OF many shafts arc tons Of broken quartz
which carry good amount Of gold. Again, at
the openings OF others, no loose quartz is 70 be
seen, yet the work done below the surface
shows that immense quantities have been eN-
CaVRtCd and conveyed 10 some distant spot, pre-
Humably for the purpose Of crushing ID.
Another fact that tends 10 still more mystiiy
the history Of Mashonaland is that Of the re-
mains OF the ruins OF buildings, There are
number OF these In various parts Of the country,
but the most perfect and interesting are those
called the Zimbabye or Zimbaoc Ruins, which
are 10 be seen in latitude POO ID and longi-
tude 81 30 east A very considerable area is
covered by the entire ruins, but those Of two
buildings are IN better state Of preservation
than the others.
One Of these is situated on n high and bold
granite hill, and is built Of granite hewn into
blocks somewhat larger than bricks, which are
put together with mortar, The walls as they
now stand are 80 feet high, over 10 feet in
thickness at the base, and several less at the
top.
This building, as well as the other 10 be de-
gCTibed was circular in FORM and seems from
Its position aud construction 10 have been
fort There are a few slabs OF granite prOtrud-
ing from the walls in places containing rough
EiP-zag ornaments. The other and larger build
lug stands several hundred feet below on rising
ground.
The walls OF this building are also or granite,
and OF the same hight and thickness Of those
just described. For about a third of its circum-
ference there is one row Of plain ornamental
figures at the top. This building was $50 yards
in diameter, and had but one OF two entrances
Walls running IN different directions stand in
side, but the thick bush which has grown up
within makes il Impossible to learn anything
definite Of the sizes and shapes Of the Enclosures
made By these inner walls.
Toe most curious part OF the whole building
is that OF the tower which stands near the out
side wall; ID Is constructed Of the same mate
rial the building. TIE tower is cylindrical
in shape up 10 the hight Of 10 feet, but after
that hight tapers and ms ii stands is a trun-
Gated cone. It's diameter at the base is Is feet
There BE- no entrance TO the tower and il APP
pears 10 be solid throughout.
Large trees aud dense bush have grown up
in the interior Of these buildings so that
Al would require considerable time TO clear ID
away, in order TO get an accurate plat Of the
building. il Is very likely that IL excavations
were made IN aud about these ruins various
articles would be found which might throw
light upon the dark mystery surrounding the
history Of them.
The old gold workings and the ruins have
LED many 90 believe that Ophir, the Kingdom
OF the Queen Of shcba, whence Solomon is said
20 have obtained bis gold, was situated in
EashOnaand and Ia the ruins described above.
A number Of great writers incline TO this be-
lief and among them are J0sephus, the histo-
riaui the author Of the Koran: and Milton,
believe somewhere speaks OF this reg ION as that
OF the seat of ancient Ophir.
Soiaa, very old town on the east coast OF
Africa, b. mentioned by all these writers as be-
ing in the land Of Othir. The Arabs have a
very ancient tradition 10 this effect. aud those
Al sOiaa to-day are said TO hold to this tradi-
tion.
The Zmbabye ruins are west OF the district OF
boiala, aud they are thought 10 have been the
palace Of the Queen OF Sheba. ] am al loss 10
understand how any one who has ever seen these
ruins can incline 70 such belief Though they
seem 10 be very old, indeed they do not by any
means have the appearance Of having been
built hundred Of centuries ago. Very few
white men have visited the ruins, but as NASH
Onaaud is thrown open to the civilized world
erch@logis;s will perhaps examine the famous
Zlmbabye ruins, and may be able TO tell US 10
what age they belong.
The history Of the present natives OF Mash
onaland Is just as dark as that Of the country
itself The population is By no means large.
The natives live la kraals, or villages, scat
tered about the country. Nearly every kraal
d independent ia government, aud has is own
chief OF "Induna" There arc, however, sew
sia Indunas who rule number Of villages
The greater number VI villages have small
population, which live by cultyating the
ground iu close proximity 10 the villages.
Most Of the villages arc built on rugged gran
Ute bills, many OF which arc inaccessible. ex-
cept BY one Or two narrow passages The is
especially true Of those villages lust across the
hatabe.cHnd border j remember that three
OF Tour Of The villages we passed after leaving