DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32867#0279
TOMBS
247
recesses of the arches, in the plan, form a cross with equal arms. The receptacles for
bodies were not placed below the arches in the arms of the cross, as was the usual
method (see tomb of Diog-
enes, page 160), but in low
rectangular chambers in
the solid angles between
the cruciform space and the
square outer wall. Two
of these chambers open to
the right and left of the
entrance, which is in the
southern arm of the cross ;
the other two open from the
north sides of the eastern
and western arms, leaving
the northern arm free to
contain a sarcophagus.
These receptacles for the
dead have small doorways
at the end which were fitted with stone doors. Either wooden coffins were used or the
bodies were slipped into the narrow chamber upon a board. They could not be laid
in the tomb, as its only opening is at the end. It is impossible to determine how the
square central chamber was roofed, but, judging from the number of voussoirs lying
about, one would say that it had a dome of cut stone. The outside wall was carried
up in regular courses and gave no intimation of the interior construction. The archi-
volts of the four interior arches are richly molded and bear the sign of the cross on each
keystone. The main entrance is provided with moldings of good character, and the
entrances to the arcosolia have well-molded lintels.
Tomb at Hass, from the southwest (Fig. 99).
Ruweha. tomb of btzzos. 1 The domed tomb of Ruweha, published by M. de
Vogiie, is one of the most important funeral monuments in Northern Syria. It is also
onc °f the best preserved. This is the tomb of Bizzos, 2 son of Pardos,
■Qi whose name is inscribed upon the great west portal of the larger of
| ff the two churches at Ruweha, and there seems to be little doubt that
\Jk both church and tomb belong to the sixth century. The importance of
f a this monument rests in the fact that it is the only ancient structure in
wjj Syria that preserves in completeness an example of a rectangular build-
Fig. 100. Pian 3 of jngr wpp a domical roof, a prototype for the weli, the most characteristic
at Ruweha. building of the medieval and modern Mohammedan natives of Syna.
1 La Syrie Centrale, Pl. 91.
2 See Part III, insc. 265.
3From La Syrie Centrale, Pl. 91.
247
recesses of the arches, in the plan, form a cross with equal arms. The receptacles for
bodies were not placed below the arches in the arms of the cross, as was the usual
method (see tomb of Diog-
enes, page 160), but in low
rectangular chambers in
the solid angles between
the cruciform space and the
square outer wall. Two
of these chambers open to
the right and left of the
entrance, which is in the
southern arm of the cross ;
the other two open from the
north sides of the eastern
and western arms, leaving
the northern arm free to
contain a sarcophagus.
These receptacles for the
dead have small doorways
at the end which were fitted with stone doors. Either wooden coffins were used or the
bodies were slipped into the narrow chamber upon a board. They could not be laid
in the tomb, as its only opening is at the end. It is impossible to determine how the
square central chamber was roofed, but, judging from the number of voussoirs lying
about, one would say that it had a dome of cut stone. The outside wall was carried
up in regular courses and gave no intimation of the interior construction. The archi-
volts of the four interior arches are richly molded and bear the sign of the cross on each
keystone. The main entrance is provided with moldings of good character, and the
entrances to the arcosolia have well-molded lintels.
Tomb at Hass, from the southwest (Fig. 99).
Ruweha. tomb of btzzos. 1 The domed tomb of Ruweha, published by M. de
Vogiie, is one of the most important funeral monuments in Northern Syria. It is also
onc °f the best preserved. This is the tomb of Bizzos, 2 son of Pardos,
■Qi whose name is inscribed upon the great west portal of the larger of
| ff the two churches at Ruweha, and there seems to be little doubt that
\Jk both church and tomb belong to the sixth century. The importance of
f a this monument rests in the fact that it is the only ancient structure in
wjj Syria that preserves in completeness an example of a rectangular build-
Fig. 100. Pian 3 of jngr wpp a domical roof, a prototype for the weli, the most characteristic
at Ruweha. building of the medieval and modern Mohammedan natives of Syna.
1 La Syrie Centrale, Pl. 91.
2 See Part III, insc. 265.
3From La Syrie Centrale, Pl. 91.