Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/416

 264 KERTCH ANTIQUITIES. tomary, perpendicularly to the base, from the north-east, and was commenced at the spot where the hollow was observed, to which allusion has previously been made. On penetrating into the cavity about three feet, a cutting in the rock was found, 3 feet 1 inches wide ; following this direction, more than five feet in depth, the excavators came upon the slab coverina: the entrance to the cavern. This entrance was of the height of 5 feet 6 inches, and 2 feet 4 inches wide. The entrance to the tomb was filled with earth, from the very top where the rock commences : in this earth were found pieces of amphorae, fragments of painted vases, and phials. The earthy portion of this rubbish was light, whence it might be concluded that the grave had been already despoiled ; this was subsequently confirmed, when, having arrived at the slab, it was found that it did not fit close to the entrance of the tomb. Having been removed with difiiculty, the next proceeding was to clear away the earth, which had fallen through the uncovered opening into the first chamber, which was about 14 feet in length, 10 feet 3 inches wide, and 6 feet 3 inches high. The second chamber was about 12 feet long, 9 feet 9 inches wide, and about the same height as the first. In both divisions were found fragments of vases, amphorae, and phials. There is no doubt that precious objects had been deposited here ; and that, had the catacombs not been already pillaged, besides the frescoes, constituting in them- selves an important discovery, the Museum would certainly have been enriched by considerable acquisitions of objects of antiquity." M. Ashik then proceeds to give a description of the frescoes of the first chamber — " The drawings on this wall are divided into two portions or lines, ornamented above the frieze with a grey flower, 1 foot 3 inches wide. This frieze comprises, in itself, ten oblong squares : in the centre is represented a head in profile, with the mouth half open ; at the sides are peacocks, and in the remaining squares are seen two. masks of fauns, with long ears, two ordinary female masks, and three branches of the pomegranate tree, with flowers and fruit. Along the whole length of the frieze, below, there is a garland of vine branches, and clusters of grapes. Immediately below the garland, in the centre of the wall, there is i-eprcsontcd a coucli, on which a male figure reclines, with the left elbow resting upon a cushion ; in the