Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 2.djvu/171

 The Sanctuary. Iasili-Kaia. 153 there was no use for them ? On the other hand, if the importance of these sculptures be allowed, the inference becomes irresistible that we are face to face with the principal temple of the Pterians, where daily worship was performed to the deities whose images are still carved on its walls, and that priests and Levites had their dwellings in the immediate neighbourhood ; so that the sanctuary was not left to take care of itself, but was at all times jealously watched over. Excavations made around Iasili-Kaia miofht possibly reveal the group of houses under notice. A complete exploration is much needed, and could not fail to uncover many an interesting detail ; albeit we venture to say that, despite discrepancies in our documents, they would not materially alter our conclusions in regard to the monuments just described. It is possible that other valuable remains of this civilization may yet be unearthed at other points of ancient Pterium, to add to that already known ; though not highly probable, from the fact of this locality having been so often visited. However that may be, our inquiries during our stay were far too searching not to make it pretty certain that the ruins at Boghaz-Keui are far away the greatest and most important encountered in the district. Here rose its capital, the main centre of Cappadocia, whose existence implies a flourishing country, thickly interspersed with hamlets surrounded by gardens, orchards, and fields, which could be irrigated even in summer. Hence it is to be supposed that in other localities will be found examples bearing upon them the unmistakable stamp peculiar to the race, though different in some particulars from those at Boghaz-Keui ; remarkable instances of which will be dealt with in the next chapter. § 5. — The Palace. Eynk. The ruins of the building which we have called '' palace," were first discovered by Hamilton. But he reached Eyuk one day and left next afternoon, having made but a hasty drawing of theni.^ Barth, long afterwards, followed in his track ; his visit, however, occurred in the heart of winter, so that his stay was not protracted beyond a few hours. He expressed the earnest wish that these important remains might receive greater attention than had devolved upon him, remarking at the same time upon Hamilton's
 * Loc. cif., p. 282-284.