Image Title: Colossal Hewn Block, Ancient Quarries Baalbek

Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Approaching Baalbek from Damascus or the south, one comes first to the quarries of Baalbek. The colossal block is 71 feet long, 14 feet high, 13 feet wide, contains about 13,500 cubic feet, and would probably weigh, 1,500 tons. Men on top of it look like little dolls, while the people and camels below seem as mere toys. The block rests on a narrow ridge of rock running down the center, each side underneath being cut away preparatory to moving.

All around in this immense quarry are such sights as you may see beyond this block-stone partially prepared for removal. The temple built of the stones of this quarry stands in ruins in the distance. The six columns of the great temple rise prominently and on this side of them, 20 feet from the ground, are three large stones in the wall similar to the one here in the quarry, each 63 feet long, 13 feet wide, 13 feet high, weighing probably 1,000 tons each.

One of the unexplained wonders connected with the famous ruins of Ballbek is how the gigantic stones were transported and placed in position on the wall so high above the ground."

Original Format: Lantern slides

Original Collection: Visual Instruction Department Lantern Slides

Item Number: P217:set 010 046

Restrictions: Permission to use must be obtained from the OSU Archives.

Click here to view The Best of the Archives.

Click here to view Oregon State University's other digital collections.