Image Details

Only half of the arched gateway was excavated, thus leaving a bank of hard alluvial soil on the left to support the mudbrick structure. Outside the gate, stone steps were uncovered which led down to the valley outside the city. The three steps, on the right, intersecting this stairway are part of a sloping stone revetment which prevented earth from sliding down the bank. Note that in this picture, as well as in the one on the cover, the right half of the doorway has been unblocked; the archaeologists penetrated about nine feet into the gateway.