BSY_FB_06_p007

7

Bāḳirḥa

The caps of the pilasters at either side of the
apse are very deeply carved, there are two
rows of acanthus leaves of twisted form and, at
the outer angle a multiheaded figure that may
have been a bust, perhaps an angel, extending
out from the bases towards the corner of the plinth.

The ornament of the main portal is exceedingly
rich and deeply carved. The series of
mouldings extends across the lintel and down the
jambs to the ground. The lower member of the
lintel bears a Greek insc. (W.K.P. insc. 18) giving
the date of the church as 546 A.D. Another insc.
added later, above the carving of another member
is in Syriac letters and seems to record a
rebuilding of the doorway (E.L. insc.8).

Group of Buildings. Further west and somewhat lower down
on the slope is a group of monumental buildings.
This complete ruin renders the plan very
difficult to define but they seem to have formed a
large quadrangle almost 100ft. sq. On the
East side is a ruined wall with a fine