At the corner where the rock of the Aslah-triclinium is cut away for the building between the triclinium chambers and Tomb Br. 24, another part of a rock-cut wall foundation was partly visible in the surface (fig. 15). This line constitutes a right angle with the continuation of Wall 1. We therefore opened sounding S 4 to clarify this foundation trench (figs. 25 and 26). The foundation trench continues down from the west to the east in four large steps. On the lowest platform, wall 2 was built by large limestone blocs. The outer face of this built wall was nicely done by three limestone ashlars, the inner face was constructed by less large limestone blocs. Between the outer and the inner face and the rock-cut foundation trench, there was a small gap filled with pebbles and earth on both sides. It seems that a natural channel follows the foot of the rock and is led through under Wall 2. To the south of Wall 2 this channel formed a kind of a small split in the rock. Wall 1 and Wall 2 must have been part of a huge building. The question of the inner walls and the supports of the roof is still to be resolved. The rock-cut foundation to the west of Wall 2 cuts a channel running north to south. It may therefore be assumed, that this installation, which is a part of the water-management system of the Northern Terrace, belongs to an earlier phase of construction.
Fig. 25: Northern terrace. Sounding S 4 with wall 2 and rock-cut foundation (photo: L. Gorgerat)
We did not yet excavate the cistern (D. 19), the reservoir (Br. 26), the 53 graves in the hillocks closer to the Wadi Musa and have not yet cleaned Tomb Br. 24, but we like to continue the research of the site and will consider these features and other installations, such as niches, in our further interpretations.
Fig. 26: Northern Terrace. Sounding S 4 with wall 2, rock-cut foundation and channel (photo: L. Gorgerat)
