Pages
BSY_FB_05_p.43
43
South west of the mortuary chapel perhaps an 1/8 of a mile stands a ruined tower with several demolished structures connected with it. From its position on the very confines of the mountain range in this district (i.e., to the west) and from the massiveness of its construction, this seems to have been a watch tower and a sort of military outpost. It commands a sweeping view of the great plain about the lake of Antioch and the approaches to the Jebel el A'la
Northeast of the mortuary chamber and between it and Ma'sarti stands a second tower very similar to the first in construction and similarly placed, at the edge of the ridge. It may be that a line of such redoubts was constructed along the N. and W. confines of the ''Jebel.
BSY_FB_05_p.44
44
Beshindelinti October 31, 1899
On the way to Ma'sarti we ^ G & B ^ visited this small ruined town now occupied by a few Druses There are here remains of two important buildings and a confused mass of less extensive structures. That at the S.E. portion of the ruins preserved a colonnaded portico + or atrium within the front (east) wall. At the south end of the portico is a square chamber, at the other end a long vaulted chamber at [...] to the colonnade. Adjoining this to the north another room with a gable toward the east. Small traces of walls running west can be found but not sufficient to give a further plan.
The colonnade consists of three columns, 2 pilasters and a cornice above an architrave. The columns have plain monolithic shafts ^ with ^ one debased Ionic and two debased Corin. (sic-corinthian). capitals. + The caps of the pilasters are of the simplest moulded style.
(+) see photo
BSY_FB_05_p.45
45
Having passed through the town on the 30th we returned the following day to examine the ruins more carefully. The remains of the ancient town cover a large area and a superficial glance suggested greater things than one second visit discovered. At the S.W. end of the ruins is a small wretched Mohammedan village. The houses of the town were generally more detached and scattered than in the majority of these places. In this the ruins of Ma'sarti are none like Beshindelâyā. The megalithic style prevails. A few ornamental doorways are the only striking architectural remains.
One much ruined building near the eastern limits of the town presents a few interesting features. It is a small square structure, with walls of unusual thickness, with a semicircular apse
BSY_FB_05_p.46
46
at the eastern end. None of the walls stand over six feet above the soil. Adjoining this building on the north is a square courtyard, on the east side of this court is a wall with two doorways having ornamental lintels. On either side of the central decoration of the southernmost is a long GR insc photographed by H.C.B. and copied by W.K.P.
In the inhabited portion of the ruin is a doorway of unusual richness.+
+see photo