On the more elevated portion of the mound--that which projected beyond the walls stood the palace, consisting of three groups of buildings, the principal group lying towards the mound's northern angle.

On the lower portion of the platform were several detached buildings, the most remarkable being a huge gateway or propylaeum, through which the entrance lay to the palace from the city.

Beyond and below this, on the level of the city, the first or outer portals were placed, giving entrance to a court in front of the lower terrace.
A visitor approaching the palace had in the first place to pass through these portals.

They were ornamented with colossal human-headed bulls on either side, and probably spanned by an arch above, the archivolte being covered with enamelled bricks disposed in a pattern.

Received within the portals, the visitor found himself in front of a long wall of solid stone masonry, the revetement of the lower terrace, which rose from the outer court to a height of at least twenty feet.