BSY_FB_29-66-b

66

Large portions of the facade itself are undoubtably
ancient, the jambs of the central portal, the two side
portals and a great part of the wall on either side.
But it is very plain that the central portion of the
facade, above the main portal, and perhaps the main
lintel are reconstructions of Muslim times. The lower
lintel may be original; but the superlintel with its
bizarre carvings, and the round window above, with its
[inserted] colonnettes, and the two round windows on
either side are certainly additions taken from
other buildings. The side walls are original so
far as they extend. But I believe that they extended
further to the W. and were cut off when the present
W. wall was built. This wall is bonded in with the
more ancient walls in the same skillful manner
as was the tower at the N.E. angle. The details of
this building, so far as they are in situ, may be either
be Roman strongly influenced by Greek work, like the
second period of Nabataean style, or late Roman
I think probably the former.