1. SOAPSTONE ARTICLES Sir John Lubbock once observed that one antiquarian relic found by itself was no testimony as to any particular ancient occupation of the spot at which it was discovered, but that the discovery of many identical relics in one place, and under identical conditions, might be considered as evidence of such occupation. Single specimens are known to have been transported from one hemisphere to another during the course of three or four thousand years. At Great Zimbabwe it is not, except in a few instances, with single relics that we have to deal, but with those found in tens and scores, practically in identical and corresponding locations, and under exactly similar conditions. So regularly are these relics situated on certain floors that, with a few exceptions explained later, one is always certain as to the class of relics which will be met with on any particular floor which is being cleared. Of course, these relics and “finds” are not distributed generally on their respective floors, and frequently the realisation of one’s hopes of meeting with them were greatly deferred, while on other occasions half an hour’s work yielded them in quantities. Still, when once found, they were generally abundant—at least, on those floors that were expected to yield them. [Illustration: SOAPSTONE BEAMS WITH BIRDS, ZIMBABWE _South African Museum, Cape Town_] A small quantity of articles having claim to some antiquity were found out of relative position to the bulk of similar relics. For instance, phalli, which were found in quantities on certain floors in the eastern half only of the Elliptical Temple, also at the Eastern and Western Temples on the hill, and at Philips Ruins in the Valley of Ruins, have, in some few instances, been found singly, but most frequently fractured or damaged, in positions which could not have been those occupied by any of the ancient inhabitants. Single specimens are sometimes found in the débris piles immediately outside the entrances to the three temples and Philips Ruins. Those found lower in such piles were no doubt thrown out by old native peoples who would not be aware of their purpose. Some of these have been converted into amulets or charms, while others are known to have been used for making _daha_ (hemp) pipe-bowls. Those phalli found in the higher portions of such débris piles are shown by the stratification of the débris to have been brought out by the numerous relic hunters by whom the excavated soil from the interiors was deposited on these débris heaps outside. This experience extends also to almost all the more antique relics found at Zimbabwe. [Illustration: Section of Floors of part of N^o 15 ENCLOSURE Elliptical Temple looking North-West & shewing locations of “Finds” 11902–31.]