Cyclopean Masonry, And The Buildings Of Jerusalem.

CYCLOPEAN MASONRY , AND THE BUILDINGS OF JERUSALEM .

In the course of the articles that have appeared lately in the pages of the Bulkier , on Mr . Fergusson's AI ' BAVS concerning the Holy Sepulchre , mention was made ofthe masonry ofthe Haram . Some account of the masonry of the same description , and that which is analogous , may therefore be

interesting to those AVIIO have not at hand the works of DodAvell and others , and particulars of the researches in Palestine , of M . E . Renan , as giA r en in the Monitour about three years ago , and mentioned by us at the time . M , Renan paid particular attention to the rebated masonry ,

regarded as Phoenician . The most ancient masonry of which any remains exist at the present clay is that Avhich is found in the walls of ono or tAvo cities of Greece

and Italy , unless indeed the Pyramids be excepted . The fortifications of Tiryns and Mycenae , places noticed by Homer as . famous for their strength , and to which he gives the appellations of evii-i ^ ms and reixfoeo-cros , are of this style , which has received the name of Cyclopean . The ruins of their Avails ,

Avhich are the only remains , are formed of enormous blocks of uncut stone piled . upon one another , the interstices being filled up with others of smaller size , and the AA'hole resembling a dry stone AA all on a gigantic scale . The great antiquity of these structures is

attested by the absence of the true arch , and by the various primitive expedients adopted to compensate for the Avant of it . The most simple is that which is used at the Gate of Lions at Mycena ., Avhere the arched form is not even attempted ; but tAvo enormous blocks being- set on end so as

to form the two side piers of the doorway , a third block is superimposed , making a solid lintel , the height of which is double that of any other stone

in tho surrounding Avail . At Tiryns , a second mode Avas adopted , as is seen in the galleries Avhich form part of the fortifications , where the space from pier to pier is spanned by one great stone holloAved out underneath , in the shape of a pointed arch , while the Avhole is roofed in with

similar blocks ctit at an angle of forty-five degrees , so as to form a pyramidal A'aultiug . At Thoricus is found a gateAvay cut in this manner , through three courses of stone ; and at Arpino , the height of the entrance is equal to five . At Segni , in Latiuin , a compromise between the tAvo methods

is to be observed ; and the arched form being given to the stones to the height of tAvo or three courses , the AA'hole is capped with a flat lintel of one block . Last of all these methods must be mentioned that whicli is found at Missolonghi , where the gateways are cut out of tho Avail in the

shape of an isosceles triangle : and that whicli is used in Delos , where the galleries are roofed in Avitli stones set lengthways , and meeting at an angle supported on others standing on end after

the manner of posts . This last method approaches that whicli is used at Tiryns . In the earliest specimens of this masonry , the art of cutting stone appears to have been almost unknown ; and except in the cutting of the entrances and galleries of the Avails , to have been

hardly ever used . But Avith the gradual advance of skill in building , it became necessary that this art should be made use of , and accordingly the ancient builders began by degrees to fit the polygonal masses of stone , vrhich they still retained , into one another , so as to form irregular joints ,

AA hile at the same time the outer face of the block AA'as reduced to something approaching a plain surface . Thus , Avithout losing its original characteristic of the polygonal shape of the stones , and without improving the structure of its arches and entrancesthe Cyclopean masonry was by degrees

, improved by a more extensive use of cut stones . A second and more improved style is that Avhich is generally known by the name of Etruscan . Though evidently and naturally derived from the Cyclopean , it is yet perfectly distinct , ancl SIIOAVS a more advanced state of architectural knoAvledge .

Specimens of this are to be found at Fiesole , Volterra , Cosa , and Populonia , and at Todi , Avhere the masonry approaches nearer to the regular masonry of the Greeks .

It appears as though , Avhen the cutting of stone became more generally used , the blocks Avere gradually shaped Avith more regularity , until at length nothing remained of the old polygonal style except in the irregularity of the joints , Avhich were not vertical . Numerous examples of

transitional styles are also to be found . At Cosa , the loAver strata , ( for courses they cannot be called ) are of the Cyclopean character , and the upper ones of a rough Etruscan style , formed of blocks little inferior to the former . At Populonia , the stones are roughly squared , but only partially

formed in courses , Avhile small stones are inserted in all parts , of a size Avhich is not greater than that used in building at tho present- day . At Volterra , and other toAvns , some of the stones are square , and others have portions cut out of them at the corners , into which corresponding pieces , forming part of other blocks , are fitted . The structure of the entrances and false arches in the

Etruscan is still the same as m the Cyclopean Avork , and the advance from one to the other will easily be seen , if the transitional examples bo observed . One instance exists which , though belonging to the general class of gigantic masonry , yet stands almost alone by itself ; it is

that of a wall in Peloponnesus , the upper courses of Avhich are of a kind of Cyclopean , and the loAver of a style even more advanced than the Etruscan , the joints being perpendicular , and the edges of the stones finished with a broad band , of rebated

Avork . Tho greater part of the masonry in question is ascribed to the Cyclops of ancient mythology ,