Zayei (Holqa)

GS Vulcains - 04/01/2020

A small doorway in the Church allows access to a low wide bedding plane with a dry dusty floor and very old stal curtains on both sides. Two stal barriers are passed to reach a low chamber with tombs of priests lining the right hand wall. Beyond another stal barrier the passage rises and widens. From here to a solitary stal boss many scores of tombs line the passage with only a narrow path between. For another 100m there are tombs on the right wall and a large slab has fallen from the roof . Explored in June 1962 by D J Causer & D A Wheelerto the left. Further down the passage a cluster of three pillars are followed after 30m by a magnificent solitary column 2m in diameter and 10m high. At this point the passage is about 20m wide. It continues as a straight passage through well decorated areas to an abrupt halt at an impenetrable stalagmited boulder choke after a swing to the left.