BSY_FB_05_p.76

76

Bashmishli

This is the second example of the use of
megalithic ceiling in connexion with arched
construction. The other being in Barrish in
the Djebel el A'la. This is also the first
presumed example of a covered olive or wine press.

To the west, on the edge of the modern valley
are found portions of two great columns and
an oblong block carved all round with a
cornice. These fragments of huge bases,
broken shafts and this bit of cornice
undoubtedly prove the ^ former ^ existence here of
a bicolumnar monument like that at
Benâbil and the one described at Sînnada.

This like the Benâbil example seems
to have been of purely classic Roman
design and undoubtedly dates from the
second century A.D. - the first important
period of Roman influence here.

End of Part I.