It's a clock tower. Built perhaps 100 BCE, it had a weather vane on top. On each of the eight sides was a depiction of one of the eight wind deities and a sundial. A water clock was inside. Note that the courses of stones are of uneven height. That, along with having eight sides are very unusual features of an ancient building.

The eight winds    

Gallery    

Last modified 8/10/15; original content © 2015 John P. Nordin