Collection Online

There were giants in those days. An unfinished monolith in the quarries at Baalbek, Syria
(1920-1930s)

Medium
gelatin silver photograph
Measurements
28.1 × 38.0 cm (image)
Inscription
typed and printed in ink on accompanying paper label: “THERE WERE GIANTS IN THOSE DAYS” / - AN UNFINISHED MONOLITH IN THE / QUARRIES AT BAALBEK. / This enormous stone, measuring 68ft. long and roughly / 14ft. square, exceeds in size any of the three great / stones imbedded in the masonry of the outer walls of / the Acropolis at Baalbek, and its position in the / quarries, rough-hewn, within sight of the Temple of / Jupiter-Baal, for which it may have been originally / destined, would indicate that the architectural scheme / of the temple group was not carried to completion. / There can be few, if any, monoliths exceeding the / dimensions of that here photographed. / SYRIA.
Accession Number
PH33-1987
Department
Australian Photography
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased from Admission Funds, 1987
Gallery location
Not on display