By G. Pouktt Scrope, Esq., 31. P. 



65 



1 On the southern side of the bath-rooms, and at the distance 

 5 of ten yards from their outer wall, the workmen cleared the 

 • foundation of a small building having outwardly an accurate 

 i hexagonal form, but circular within. It measured ten feet from 

 angle to angle. On opening out the centre at the depth of four 

 ' feet there appeared the mouth of a circular well-shaft, constructed 

 of admirable masonry, every stone being cut to the curve of the 

 1 circle, which was three feet eight inches in diameter. The upper 

 courses of the shaft had been evidently destroyed, and the well 

 itself filled entirely with rubbish from the neighbouring buildings. 

 This was re-excavated, with the following results : — 



At the depth of about twenty five feet human bones were found, 

 apparently the remains of a single body. At forty feet those 

 of two more skeletons. Below this the rubbish filling the well 

 consisted chiefly of large fragments of masonry, comprising a great 

 many broken shafts of columns, with their capitals and bases. 

 These latter had evidently been all turned in a lathe, and are re- 

 markable for the number of toruses or mouldings which they 

 present. (See pi. iv. fig. 4, 5.) Some other carved stones appear to 

 have been pinnacles or other ornaments surmounting the ridge or 

 gable of the roof. Their style as well as that of the columns is of a 

 debased architecture resembling the worst examples of the Lower 

 Empire. The diameter of the columns varied from eight inches to 

 twelve. And as fragments were found of separate capitals to the 

 number of twelve or more, it would appear that the adjoining 

 buildings must have displayed a considerable amount of architec- 

 tural decoration, such as it was. Several coins of the Lower Empire 

 were also found low down in the well-shaft. At the depth of 68 

 feet water first appeared. And there the masonry terminated, 

 j the foundation resting on a ledge of rock. The well was originally 

 sunk still deeper. But the influx of water has hitherto prevented 

 further excavation. When (if ever) a dry season occurs to drain 

 off the springs, the excavation of this well will be further prosecuted. 



The building hitherto described with its well stood within a 

 walled inclosure (see plan) measuring about 220 feet by 155, 

 which may have been a garden, or large court ; and in the 



VOL. VII. — NO. XIX. F 



