Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/325

Religious Architecture 295 The hollows observed in this class of dolmens are always found in inclined table-stones, and seem to favour the supposition that similar holes were joined and connected with a ledge or trough sunk below them, which may have received oil, water, or blood (Fig. 200). l More interesting, however, than any yet discovered is the huge single specimen or semi-dolmen of Amman, east of Jordan. The top stone measures 3 m. 95 c. long by 3 m. 35 c, broad, with a decided incline and a whole series of grooves in the upper face, converging towards a central hollow or cup, 30 c. deep, ^m Fig. 200. — Dolmen. Hesbon. Conder, Htth and Moab, p. 292. evidently scooped for receiving libations or small offerings. 2 The name, too, given by the Arabs to such monuments indicates their original purpose. Thus the large group of " Umm Zaweitîneh " is known as " mother of the small olive-trees," though no such trees exist, whilst we have seen that the Mareighât group bears the same signification. Taking these indications along with what we learn in the Bible in regard to Jacob's stone at Bethel, and those of the Canaanites overthrown by the kings of Judah, the conclusion seems irresistible that the menhirs of Moab and Gilead were originally objects of worship, which were anointed with oil 1 Heth and Moab, p. 259. 2 Quarterly Statements, p. 76, 1882.