DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.809#0413
;86
SOUTH HOUSE: PILLAR CRYPT
Pillar
crypt
with
stands for
Double
Axe and
other
cult
objects.
A doorway at the S.W. corner of the central chamber led into a very
completely preserved pillar crypt of the same type as that already so well
illustrated by the South-East House.1 The square central pillar, here con-
sisting
of a longer and shorter gypsum block, was preserved to a height
One-
columned
chamber
above.
^L
of i-8o m. Near it on one side, as in the former case, was a small
pyramidal socket of gypsum for the
sacral Double Axe (see Fig. 223).
On the other side was a curious base
with three sockets, also, evidently, for
the insertion of cult objects. It seems
possible that these may have consisted
of the sacral horns with another
Double Axe rising from their centre,
as in the case of those found on the
altar ledge of the late Shrine of the
Double Axes.2 Ritual vessels of
painted clay were represented by part
of an amphora, referred to above, with
reserved rosettes. Along the middle
wall on the North side of the room ran a
stone ledge that might have been used
as a low bench, and at each end was
an opening, that on the left leading to a
flight of stairs, while that on the right
gave access to a closet beneath them.
The stairs leading up from the
pillar crypt to what seems to have been
a one-columned chamber of the same dimensions above finds an exact parallel
in the ' Royal Villa ' described below.3 Remains of a gypsum bench came to
light near the sunken remains of its North wall, showing a much more elegant
arrangement than that illustrated by the mere ledge below (see Fig. 223).
The West wall of this columnar room, the foundation wall of which was built
against the cutting on that side, rose above the ground level, and there was
here shown fine gypsum masonry of an upper facade. Another pyramidal
gypsum stand that was found in connexion with these remains of upper
structures has been placed by the restored column, and may be taken as an
indication that this upper chamber, too, served a ritual purpose.
1 P. of M., i, pp. 427, 429 and Fig. 307. 3 See below, p. 408.
2 See above, p 338 and Fig 190.
Fig. 220. Plan of First Floor of West
Section of South House.
SOUTH HOUSE: PILLAR CRYPT
Pillar
crypt
with
stands for
Double
Axe and
other
cult
objects.
A doorway at the S.W. corner of the central chamber led into a very
completely preserved pillar crypt of the same type as that already so well
illustrated by the South-East House.1 The square central pillar, here con-
sisting
of a longer and shorter gypsum block, was preserved to a height
One-
columned
chamber
above.
^L
of i-8o m. Near it on one side, as in the former case, was a small
pyramidal socket of gypsum for the
sacral Double Axe (see Fig. 223).
On the other side was a curious base
with three sockets, also, evidently, for
the insertion of cult objects. It seems
possible that these may have consisted
of the sacral horns with another
Double Axe rising from their centre,
as in the case of those found on the
altar ledge of the late Shrine of the
Double Axes.2 Ritual vessels of
painted clay were represented by part
of an amphora, referred to above, with
reserved rosettes. Along the middle
wall on the North side of the room ran a
stone ledge that might have been used
as a low bench, and at each end was
an opening, that on the left leading to a
flight of stairs, while that on the right
gave access to a closet beneath them.
The stairs leading up from the
pillar crypt to what seems to have been
a one-columned chamber of the same dimensions above finds an exact parallel
in the ' Royal Villa ' described below.3 Remains of a gypsum bench came to
light near the sunken remains of its North wall, showing a much more elegant
arrangement than that illustrated by the mere ledge below (see Fig. 223).
The West wall of this columnar room, the foundation wall of which was built
against the cutting on that side, rose above the ground level, and there was
here shown fine gypsum masonry of an upper facade. Another pyramidal
gypsum stand that was found in connexion with these remains of upper
structures has been placed by the restored column, and may be taken as an
indication that this upper chamber, too, served a ritual purpose.
1 P. of M., i, pp. 427, 429 and Fig. 307. 3 See below, p. 408.
2 See above, p 338 and Fig 190.
Fig. 220. Plan of First Floor of West
Section of South House.