off and the stones have become almost shapeless. The under portion was probably protected by the ascending roadway, which ran between the retaining wall and the city wall. This must have been built to a greater height during the existence of the two periods of the VII Stratum, and in the time of the VIII Stratum it probably concealed the whole structure. The western corner (a in fig. 24) is in a good state of preservation; but the eastern corner (f), which chanced to be unearthed by Schliemann in 1872, was later destroyed.
The several inner rooms are shut in by the great retaining wall and the side walls. The large hall (t) is over 13 m. deep, while the rooms (s and r) have a depth of only 5 m. It is not likely that the walls which surround the room (n) belong to the VI Stratum. The massive steps at the north of the building, with the two inclosing walls, ascended to the second terrace of the citadel.
The presence of a scarped surface on the south wall, near the steps, indicates that there was an open court at k. The communication between this court and the inner rooms, as well as the connection of the rooms with each other, is unknown. A canal leading through the west wall, and a great pithos, were found in the room (r). The hall (t) was cut into two sections (h and i) by a poorly built cross wall. In the former (h) were unearthed six great pithoi, and in the latter (i) a strangely formed cylindrical vessel, 0.80 m. in height and 0.40 m. in diameter, as well as numerous millstones and about fifty weaving implements. These finds would indicate that the building was a dwelling house.
