BSY_FB_16-82

82

Khanâṣir April 25, 1900

These ruins, situated at the southwestern
extremity of the range, are the largest of the
whole district. The city was one of great
extent surrounded by a strong wall with
a great gate to the South - one to the North and
one to the East. At the southwestern extremity
of the city rises the acropolis - a high natural
mound fortified by a double wall.

As in the smaller ruins of the region there
is little to be seen here above ground but a
higher type of architecture marks the ruins
and is traceable in the fragments. A greater
effort at architectural effect was made here
in the metropolis of the region and the hard
black stone was heated with greater labor.
Portions of the outer wall of the acropolis were
laid in fine squared blocks of considerable size
without mortar and the huge lintel of the
main entrance to the citadel was carved with
mouldings and symbols besides a fine insc
in raised letters (W.R.P. GK insc 298) date 384 A.D.?