'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎41] (68/450)

CH. XIII.] WELL OF DAMLAMAJEII.
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adhering;
to them. I examined the excavation,
which was about ten feet deep, and found it con
sisted of huge stones, laid in layers of bitumen and
lime-mortar. I brought away some specimens ol
them sticking together. I also saw some layers of
red clay, which were very thick, and had become <is
indurated as burnt brick *, but there was not the
least appearance of reeds or straw ever having been
used. This mass appeared to have been a founda
tion or substructure. We found among the rubbish
some pieces of coarse unglazed pottery. It would not
have been possible to tell, from the appearance ot
the surface of the ground, that there had been build
ing beneath—a water-course full of pebbles had
even passed over it. It is therefore very difficult to
say to what extent vestiges of building may exist
outside the inclosures, the area ot which may have
been the royal quarter, but certainly was never suffi
cient for the city of Nineveh.
We now went to Damlamajeh, which w r e had
agreed to call Thisbe's Well, to refresh ourselves
for a little while; and I took the opportunity of
ascertaining the temperature of the spring, which
I found to be 66°, that of the air in the little
building which contains it being 65°. The spring
issues out of a concretion of pebbles. It is covered
by a little dome, which is evidently of Mahometan
* Red clay is still used by many as a coating for walls, instead
of plaster.