Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

492 EXPLORATIONS IX BIBLE LAXDS
Stilt used in Modern China Manufactories
From Trenton, N. y.
to light which exhibit those stilt-marks very plainly inside
and outside. In order to save fuel, to concentrate the
heat, and to secure an
even burning of the pottery,
the structure doubtless
was roofed over.
After this brief review
of the principal discoveries
made in connection
with our tracing the inner
face of the great enclosing
wall, we turn our attention
to the construction
of the wall itself.
The long narrow ridge
(II-III, on the plan of
the ruins, p. 305), which conceals the remains of the frequently
repaired rampart to the north of the temple, varies
considerably in height. At some places it stands only a few
feet above the plain, while at others it rises to more than
twenty feet above the same. Its average height may be
regarded as about twelve to fifteen feet. The comparative
steepness of the ridge, the absence of extensive traces of
later (post-Babylonian) settlements on its
top, and the noteworthy
fact that the excavations at the highest points of the
ruined structure did not disclose the remains of specially fortified
bastions or high towers at these places would indicate
that at the time of its latest restoration Nimit-Marduk cannot
have been less than twenty-five feet high, and possibly
was somewhat higher.
The question arises at once, why is it that certain parts of
the ancient rampart are preserved almost in their original
height, while others have been reduced considerably, and still
other large sections of the northwest, northeast and southeast
walls have disappeared completely. It is not difficult