DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45603#0036
174
II. B. 4.
therefore quite plain that the central space was not divided by an intermediate floor,
but opened up through both stories, like the central space in a domed Byzantine church,
the upper floors of the wings opening upon it, by the arches, like galleries. An arch
and two niches were found in the north wall of the central space. It is unnecessary
to spend more time in following the process of this reconstruction: I have followed
it quite minutely thus far to show the reader that these restorations need not be taken
entirely at their face value, and to demonstrate the importance of comparatively un-
important details when taken together and in relation to other things. I had not pro¬
gressed thus far in tracing the plan before it became evident that the building must
have been a bath. Tunnel vaults are used in only two kinds of buildings in Northern
Syria, - baths and tombs. The long vaulted chamber on the north of the square space
is essentially like the tepidarium of the little bath hard by, and that of the bath at
Brad. The arch in its north wall seems to have been the opening of an apsis, like
those that appear in all baths. Stones of the peculiar shape used in half-domes were
found outside this arch, and near the ruined northwest angle of the building where I
have tentatively placed a small square chamber with an apsis. The half domes of
these small apses, and those of the baptisteries, offered materials already cut for the
building of the mihrabs of Mohammedan mosques and small shrines, and most of them
have been carried away by the residents of mediaeval and modern villages in the
neighbourhood. It is quite plain, from the courses of stone at the tops of the tower-
ing piers, which extend above the lean-tos, that a third story rose above the roofs of
the wings. This was probably to secure more light, and I have so represented it in
the restorations, placing gables at the east and west. The portico on the east side
of the court was lower than that on the north side; their upper floors were perhaps
connected by wooden steps. The west side of the court was closed by a wall with
a small doorway and a window in it. Within the wall stood a portico of piers
one story high. On the south of the court was a fourth portico, in two stories, equal
in height to the east and west porticos. Behind this, and entered from the portico
by two doorways, was a narrow building over 18 m. long. This had doors in the
rear wall opening upon another portico of piers, two stories high, with a tower of
three stories at its west end. This portico, with the loggia above it roofed in stone,
and with many panels of its parapet still in place, is the portion of a complex of
buildings that I published as a bazaar 1 in the Publications of the American Expedition.
In front of this portico is an enclosed court with a portico of piers on the west side.
This building on the south side of the inner court is unlike any buildings in the region
excepting certain structures at Der Sim An, and elsewhere, that were certainly pandocheia,
or inns. The long hall with porticos on either side was certainly of public character,
and it is not inconceivable that it was a sort of tavern, or resting place, for patrons
of the bath, coming from a distance, like the so-called Cafe at Serdjilla. 3
Small Baths. This building is not set square with the greater group of buildings
as it is shown in Ill. 180; but forms an angle with it, (see map of Babiska).
The building is comparatively well preserved ; its plan, which is readily made out, re-
sembles that of the baths in Serdjilla in many respects. On the north side is a large
room with a tribune supported on columns at its east end. This was the main apart-
1 A.A.Z.S'. II, p. 168.
2 II, B. 3, p. 123.
II. B. 4.
therefore quite plain that the central space was not divided by an intermediate floor,
but opened up through both stories, like the central space in a domed Byzantine church,
the upper floors of the wings opening upon it, by the arches, like galleries. An arch
and two niches were found in the north wall of the central space. It is unnecessary
to spend more time in following the process of this reconstruction: I have followed
it quite minutely thus far to show the reader that these restorations need not be taken
entirely at their face value, and to demonstrate the importance of comparatively un-
important details when taken together and in relation to other things. I had not pro¬
gressed thus far in tracing the plan before it became evident that the building must
have been a bath. Tunnel vaults are used in only two kinds of buildings in Northern
Syria, - baths and tombs. The long vaulted chamber on the north of the square space
is essentially like the tepidarium of the little bath hard by, and that of the bath at
Brad. The arch in its north wall seems to have been the opening of an apsis, like
those that appear in all baths. Stones of the peculiar shape used in half-domes were
found outside this arch, and near the ruined northwest angle of the building where I
have tentatively placed a small square chamber with an apsis. The half domes of
these small apses, and those of the baptisteries, offered materials already cut for the
building of the mihrabs of Mohammedan mosques and small shrines, and most of them
have been carried away by the residents of mediaeval and modern villages in the
neighbourhood. It is quite plain, from the courses of stone at the tops of the tower-
ing piers, which extend above the lean-tos, that a third story rose above the roofs of
the wings. This was probably to secure more light, and I have so represented it in
the restorations, placing gables at the east and west. The portico on the east side
of the court was lower than that on the north side; their upper floors were perhaps
connected by wooden steps. The west side of the court was closed by a wall with
a small doorway and a window in it. Within the wall stood a portico of piers
one story high. On the south of the court was a fourth portico, in two stories, equal
in height to the east and west porticos. Behind this, and entered from the portico
by two doorways, was a narrow building over 18 m. long. This had doors in the
rear wall opening upon another portico of piers, two stories high, with a tower of
three stories at its west end. This portico, with the loggia above it roofed in stone,
and with many panels of its parapet still in place, is the portion of a complex of
buildings that I published as a bazaar 1 in the Publications of the American Expedition.
In front of this portico is an enclosed court with a portico of piers on the west side.
This building on the south side of the inner court is unlike any buildings in the region
excepting certain structures at Der Sim An, and elsewhere, that were certainly pandocheia,
or inns. The long hall with porticos on either side was certainly of public character,
and it is not inconceivable that it was a sort of tavern, or resting place, for patrons
of the bath, coming from a distance, like the so-called Cafe at Serdjilla. 3
Small Baths. This building is not set square with the greater group of buildings
as it is shown in Ill. 180; but forms an angle with it, (see map of Babiska).
The building is comparatively well preserved ; its plan, which is readily made out, re-
sembles that of the baths in Serdjilla in many respects. On the north side is a large
room with a tribune supported on columns at its east end. This was the main apart-
1 A.A.Z.S'. II, p. 168.
2 II, B. 3, p. 123.