Black Pillar
The Black Pillar is a obelisk standing at the center of the courtyard of the Kingsgrave. Made of a single piece of black stone, the Black Pillar serves as both a landmark for pilgrims and the center of a massive sundial.
Purpose / Function
The Black Pillar serves two purposes: guiding pilgrims into the Kingsgrave and forming the gnonon of a large sundial. Pilgrims visiting the Kingsgrave will often circle the Black PIllar along the edge of its sundial as part of the pilgrimage, and some will attempt to touch the pillar despite the efforts of its caretakers.
The sundial that the Black Pillar is part of is one of the most ornate landmarks in Catal Hisarlik. Each hour is decorated with rare gems and metals. The large size and its location on the ground makes reading the sundial difficult, but it is maintained by a dedicated crew of workers who sweep and polish the stone, gem, and metal decorations.
Architecture
The Black Pillar is a 130-foot obelisk made of a single piece of an unknown black stone. There are no decorations on the surface of the obelisk, and being made of a single piece of stone, it lacks any seams that might divide the pillar. It stands on a pedestal made of white stone at the center of a massive sundial.
History
The creation of the Black Pillar was ordered by the second king Makhno Rot after the death of his father Kovacs, the Martyr King. He wanted the pillar to become a centerpiece of the grand tomb for his father, and numerous designs came in from various famous architects across the fledgling empire. Although the design of another architect was chosen to be the tomb's overall design, the Black Pillar appeared during construction under unknown circumstances. It resisted any attempt at removal and was incorporated into the design.
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