Lifting bosses or handling bosses are protrusions intentionally left on stones by masons to facilitate maneuvering the blocks with ropes and levers.
[1][2] They are an important feature of ancient and classical construction, and were often not cut away, despite having fulfilled their purpose.
Sometimes this was the result of a cost-saving measure or a construction halt.
Other times bosses were left as a stylistic element, and even if dressed back, a remnant of them was kept to make their existence obvious.
[3]