178 A History of Art in Sardinia and Jud^a. as these are the work of time ; found only in communities that have enjoyed a settled state of existence for long ages. It may be that here, even before the advent of Cyrus, the priest was almost on a par with the prince; that close to Boghaz-Keui, the stronghold of the warrior-king, was Eyuk, an open city, the residence of the high priest, with a palace and probably a temple. These are hypotheses which future explorations will confirm or invalidate. Meanwhile, we will direct our steps to another group of ruins, indifferently described as Royal Tombs and Priests* Sepulchres. § 6. — The Necropolis. The large hamlet of Alajah is situated five hours' distance from Boghaz-Keui in a northern, and three hours from Eyuk in a southern direction (Fig. 293). It rises in the centre of a plain watered by the Alajah Chai, which flows to the north towards the mountains to join the Iris, where the broad level narrows into one of those gorges of common occurrence in a hilly district. Here, about four miles from the village, are the tombs discovered by Hamilton as far back as 1835.^ As we neared the mountain ridges, we noticed that in sundry places the rocks were perforated by caves, apparently enlarged by artificial means to serve as domestic dwellings. Presently we hove in sight of the tomb known to the inhabitants as Gherdek-Kaiasi (Fig. 344).^ It con- sists of twin chambers of unequal size, and of different adjustment, faced by a long porch some 2 m. by 90 c, and over i m. in height, built on the side of an insulated rocky mass, detached from the mountain range, with direction to east. It is supported by three Doric columns of rude proportions, narrowing towards the top, like the very early examples of this order, except that in this instance they are accompanied by an archaic base. The portico is approached by a flight of steps, and opens at each end into a mortuary chamber, lighted by a small doorway and square aper- tures or windows cut through the outer wall. Opposite the door of the main chamber on the left hand was an excavation several feet deep, doubtless intended for the body of some distinguished ^ Loc. city torn. i. pp. 401, 402. Through the stupidity of his guide, Barth passed within a few miles of these tombs, which he was looking for, without seeing them. ^ In respect to the meaning of this word, see our Exploration, p. 339.
