DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4376#0159
EXCAVATIONS ON SITE OE MAUSOLEUM. 141
that the side of the large stone facing the stair was
left rough, while its inner or eastern face was
wrought to a smooth surface.
If it had heen intended that this stone should he
seen from, the outside, its western or external face
would have been tooled in the same manner as its
opposite or inner face.
About two feet to the east of the lowest step was
a wall running from flank to flank, and in a direc-
tion nearly parallel to the width of the stair. It
was built of massive blocks of native rock, exhibiting
a great contrast to the neat work of the isodomous
flanking wall, the blocks being squared but not
bonded.k
This wall was rather more than a yard broad.
Its width, and the style of the masonry, lead me to
think that it must have been built for the purpose
of consolidating the soil of the platform when this
cutting was filled in.
If we suppose that the stair was cut to admit
the sepulchral procession into the tomb, and imme-
diately afterwards covered with earth, we may thus
account for the preservation of the alabaster vases
which were discovered at the foot of the rough wall.
Two of these were unbroken, and their surface
generally was remarkably fresh. If, according to
Greek custom, they had been placed at the door of
the sepulchre on some occasion when the tomb Avas
visited by mourners, and if they had remained in
their original position for any length of time,
lc This rubble wall, having been considered by Lieut. Smith as
of comparatively recent origin, is not laid down in Plate III.
that the side of the large stone facing the stair was
left rough, while its inner or eastern face was
wrought to a smooth surface.
If it had heen intended that this stone should he
seen from, the outside, its western or external face
would have been tooled in the same manner as its
opposite or inner face.
About two feet to the east of the lowest step was
a wall running from flank to flank, and in a direc-
tion nearly parallel to the width of the stair. It
was built of massive blocks of native rock, exhibiting
a great contrast to the neat work of the isodomous
flanking wall, the blocks being squared but not
bonded.k
This wall was rather more than a yard broad.
Its width, and the style of the masonry, lead me to
think that it must have been built for the purpose
of consolidating the soil of the platform when this
cutting was filled in.
If we suppose that the stair was cut to admit
the sepulchral procession into the tomb, and imme-
diately afterwards covered with earth, we may thus
account for the preservation of the alabaster vases
which were discovered at the foot of the rough wall.
Two of these were unbroken, and their surface
generally was remarkably fresh. If, according to
Greek custom, they had been placed at the door of
the sepulchre on some occasion when the tomb Avas
visited by mourners, and if they had remained in
their original position for any length of time,
lc This rubble wall, having been considered by Lieut. Smith as
of comparatively recent origin, is not laid down in Plate III.