Page 472 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXVI.] NAKAB EL HAJAR. 431

over the ruins, in expectation of sharing in

the golden hoards, which they would not but

remain convinced we had come to discover.

When, as they supposed, they found us un­

successful in the search, they consoled them­

selves with the reflection that we had not

been able to draw them from the spirits,

who, according to their belief, kept continual

watch.

The ruins of Nakab el Hajar, considered

by themselves, present nothing more than a

mass of ruins surrounded by a wall. But

the magnitude of the stones used in its con­

struction, and the perfect knowledge of the

builder’s art, exhibited in the style and mode

of placing them together, with its towers, and

great extent, would give it importance in any
other part of the world. Here in Arabia,

where, as far as is known, architectural re­
mains are of rare occurrence, its appearance

excites the liveliest interest. That it owes its
origin to a very remote antiquity (how remote

it is to be hoped the inscription will deter­
mine,) is evident by its appearance alone,

which bears a strong resemblance to similar
edifices which have been found amidst Egyp-