Butler Diary: Northern and Central Syria V, 1900

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and there is no evidence of interior chambers or an entrance of any kind.

One of the angles has given way just below the level of the dividing course between the stories and a considerable portion of the south side is in complete ruins with nearly half of the pyramidal structure.

The monument itself is of hard limestone raised upon a base of three steps in black basaltic stone. It measures 9m.10 x 9m.7 at the base ^ (base 11m.42, high 1m.18) ^ the walls of the lower story are unbroken and are reinforced at the angles by pilasters ^ (.78 x .09) ^ with classic base and cap mouldings. Above the pilasters runs a simple entablature with over-hanging cornice and between them each face of the monument is embellished with relief sculptures.

The upper story has four pilasters on each face. Equally spaced carrying a second cornice like the one below

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Above this cornice, set back over the line of the wall a heavy half-round moulding marks the base of the pyramid which forms the top of this monument. The faces of the pyramid are formed of smooth well fitted blocks rising at rather a steep angle.

The whole monument is remarkable for its perfect execution, fine joints and well executed mouldings. An interesting fact is that the joints of the upper story have been pointed up with cement.

This is certainly not a modern precautionary measure and there is no sign that the site was ever occupied by Saracenic structures. It looks as if this pointing must have belonged to ancient times.

The sculpture which is the most interesting feature of the monument is difficult to reconcile with the architecture.

The subjects which are confined to animals and arms are treated in a conventional manner suggestive of oriental work.

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The relief on the Eastern face represents a boar hunt. The boar with unmistakable tusks is represented as brought to bay by two large dogs. Above are spears, at different angles, bow, axe and quiver.

The relief on the north side represents the stag hunt. The two stags have large antlers, one of them has fallen upon his knees. Above and below are substantially the same accoutrements of the chase.

The northern relief is a bear hunt. Three bears are shown a large one standing or walking and two young ones, one walking behind the old one and the other capering upon its hind legs before her. Again we have the weapons - at either end of the composition three spears crossed diagram with a curious instrument like an outstretched accordian between the upper points above the animals a single slanting spear and below them two spears nearly parallel. To the left, between the animals and the

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crossed spears are a bow and a large axe with a loose strap traced about it. From either end of the raised line upon which the animals stand brings a curious arrangement with curved handles, a sort of basket work like a huge purse larger at the top than at the bottom, with straps around it whose loose ends hang down. This arrangement is practically the same for all the hunting implements.

The south side is almost destroyed but enough remains for one to see that the animal represented is a gazelle, which is easily distinguished from the stag by his short horns.

The composition of all the groups is most simple - the figures almost conventional but the anatomy is good and the execution as good as could be in such a friable material. The sculptures are not unlike some of the reliefs seen on sarcophagi of the post Alexandrian epoch

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