The connection between sections (3) and (4) where the lower portion of (3) is built up against and is independent of (4), while the upper portion of (3) is built and bonded into and forms part of (4), has an exact parallel in the west wall of Recess Enclosure on the Acropolis, where the lower portions of two walls are independent of each other, but their higher portions are bonded and built as one wall.
In August, 1902, some thirty tons of explorers’ débris of old date were removed from this enclosure, and a floor of granite cement was disclosed at its south end, in the middle of which, and forming part of the cement work, is a raised circular platform 7 in. high, 16 ft. 10 in. in circumference, and with rounded sides. Close to it was found a rounded piece of diorite extensively marked with hammerings, as if it had been used for an anvil.
Along the base of the south wall is a cemented edging 6 in. high, 17 ft. long, with rounded edges, protruding 8 in. to 12 in. from the wall. In the south corner are two blind steps made of granite cement (see Architecture—Blind Steps).
CHAPTER XII
THE ELLIPTICAL TEMPLE
Sacred Enclosure—Conical Tower—Small Tower—Parallel Passage.
NO. 8
THE SACRED ENCLOSURE
THIS enclosure, which contains the Conical Tower and the now ruined “Little Cone,” lies on the south-east of the temple area, the main east wall from south-east to east-north-east being its eastern boundary from (186 ft.) to (315 ft).
In shape it is long and narrow, the Conical Tower practically dividing the area into two almost equal sections: Sacred Enclosure (east), and Sacred Enclosure (west).
The length of this enclosure measured along the inside face of the main wall is 129 ft. 2 in. The northern side is formed by sections of walls which in the main run parallel with the south wall of the temple. The northern sections of walls are at the following distances from the main wall: at the extreme west 25 ft.; at (186 ft.) 31 ft.; on either side of the Conical Tower 26 ft.; at (300 ft.) 17 ft.; and at the extreme east 5 ft, this last portion for 13 ft. being greatly narrowed by large buttresses on either side up to the entrance of the Parallel Passage.