The Tsindi Ruins are southeast of Harare not far from Marondera on a prominent granite hill, the ruins being on the southern side of the hill and are about 150 metres above the valley floor of the Nyakambiri River and has good views in all directions. The ruins cover about 2 hectares and the walls are built into the natural rocks on site.

Tsindi Ruins was excavated by Sheila Rudd in 1963 – 1966; who recorded her finds in Excavations at Lekkerwater Ruins, Tsindi Hill, Theydon, Zimbabwe on behalf of the historical Monuments Commission and most of the detail of this article is from this source. The archaeological evidence identified three stages of occupation at the site each identified by different building methods and pottery types. They were:

Late Early Iron Age Settlements – these consisted of pole and dhaka huts on dhaka floors linked with early P-type walling. Class P walls are built of untrimmed stone, uncoursed and generally free-standing comprise the outer walls and internal walls.

Later Iron Age settlements – these had Q-type walls and huts with massive dhaka kerbs. Class Q walls are made of trimmed and coursed stones similar to those buildings of Great Zimbabwe and are numbered 34-35 in the plan of the site.

Late Iron Age religious settlement – the huts have internally decorated dhaka structures. After their destruction in the nineteenth century, the site was abandoned.

Why should you visit ?

It is amongst one of the many dry stone monuments widely celebrated across Zimbabwe with the trademark ' madzimbabwe'

Easily accessible on good tar road with immaculate views of the hill .

Residence of once famed local rulers and also resident to local spirit medium(s)

The settlements were created in the early 15th century ,about the same timeline as Great Zimbabwe .

Clay huts found surrounding the enclosure are believed to have belonged to be used by spirit mediums which is ideal for grasping an appreciation for local culture and Pre Historic Zimbabwean way of life.

Source: Zimfieldguide.com

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