BSY_FB_18_063

63

This monument has unquestionably been studied
and Puchstein is sure to have made a restoration
of it. But as it stands, with no other walls
or columns traceable in the neighborhood it is
difficult to find out the purpose of the building

It was not a temple; but, in all probability,
a public building of some sort. It is certain
that it did not extend to the south for it is most
probable that the main street passed by it
immediately on that side.

I have of course made no excavations and have
no evidence to offer in support of my theory, but
the anta with its wall of niches and the probability
of similar anta connected with the other
standing column, and with evidences of a connecting
wall also provided with niches, a huilding is
suggested similar to the so-called serâya at
Shehbā Philippopolis in which two projecting
antae with niches in them are connected by a
wall with a broad apse. The building is probably
not earlier than the 3d century nor later than the 4th.