BSY_FB_05_p.55

55

Bānaḳfûr

At the Western edge of the town is a
large rock cut chamber covered by a broad
barrel vault of stone, springing from the
solid sides of the excavated chamber. The
chamber measures 22 x 15ft. The vault
stands perfectly preserved and entirely
without buttresses, so perfectly fitted,
without mortar, that earthquake has
made no rupture.

South of the town, on an eminence, facing
the town are a number of rock cut tombs.
Two of them have ornamental facades,
one, two engaged fluted Ionic columns
supporting a triangular pediment.+
Within are curved arcosolia and rock-
cut sarcophagi - There is usually an
outer and inner chamber, there
being two arcosolia in the front chamber,
at right angles to the facade, one on either
side of the entrance.

+ see photo P.