How To Quarry A Column Selinunte, Sicily, 1998 This picture from the quarry at Selinunte shows a huge column, destined for Temple G, in the process of being cut out of the rock. A column drum (section of a column) is being freed from the matrix of rock, which embraces it from behind. The drum is over six feet tall; a person can squeeze in between the column and the rock matrix (right side opening in shadow), but it is a tight fit.