In view of the lightness of the stone structures the archaeologist in charge of the excavations here from 1952-1973, Michael Gough, states: “Rather than being domed, the tower may have been capped by a pyramid of timber, which could have been accommodated on the oblong base, would have exerted little thrust, and, once fallen, would have left no trace after the Lapse of centuries”.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Alahan Monastery: A Masterpiece of Early Christian Architecture’ by Michael Gough (1967).