The staircase is covered with carvings like this one, all portraying biblical scenes. What fascinated me about this portrayal of Delilah cutting Samson's hair is that it was carved with every bit as much care and detail as the rest, but is located in a spot that would hardly be ever seen. You have to duck down and crouch under other parts of the staircase to see this picture. The stone used to create the staircase and particularly the relief panels is soft stone. The years of industrial pollution and acid rain have taken their toll.