DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36287#0067
PALMYRA AND THE REGION OF THE HAURAN
45
speed was difficult because of the weight and the imperfect security of our trappings,
which included ride, revolver, camera, and other instruments, besides some extra articles
of clothing. In a few places the road was damaged by the peasants, who frequently
plow directly across it. Early in the day we passed the Damascus-Aleppo post train,
which consisted of four mules carrying the mail, a few muleteers, and six or seven
soldiers bringing up the rear. With occasional relays, I believe they cover the distance
in about four days.
Village and of IChan Shekhun. In foreground are two early Mohammedan reservoirs
built mainly of black stone.
In the barren hills about three miles northwest of Hama and near Deffa'i, a pictur-
esque village surrounded by poplars, are the remains of a Mohammedan road measur-
ing about twenty meters in length and five in width. By comparison with these hills
the immediate surroundings of Deffa'I seemed exceedingly fertile. The village is on
the east bank of the Orontes. The houses are partly hidden by the trees and some
high bushes. A great water-wheel dips into the river and as it is turned slowly by
the current it gives forth a doleful chant. The wheels, called are not
uncommon along the Orontes, and apparently smaller and cruder ones are to be found
along the Euphrates.* They lift the water to well-built aqueducts and serve to irri-
gate a limited area of fields and gardens.
Having arrived at Hama, we rode slowly through the tortuous alleys and the
crowded bazaars. Finally we came out on a broad street flanked by substantial stone
buildings and were guided to a coffee-house in which we were given fairly comfortable
quarters. We had been informed that certain Hittite inscriptions were still to be
found in Hama, but we were not successful in finding them. Possibly the large hill
i Peters: Nippur, VoL I, p. 141, photograph facing p. 148, and p. 154; Oppenheim: Vom Mitteimeer
zum Persischen Golf, pp. 333, 334.
45
speed was difficult because of the weight and the imperfect security of our trappings,
which included ride, revolver, camera, and other instruments, besides some extra articles
of clothing. In a few places the road was damaged by the peasants, who frequently
plow directly across it. Early in the day we passed the Damascus-Aleppo post train,
which consisted of four mules carrying the mail, a few muleteers, and six or seven
soldiers bringing up the rear. With occasional relays, I believe they cover the distance
in about four days.
Village and of IChan Shekhun. In foreground are two early Mohammedan reservoirs
built mainly of black stone.
In the barren hills about three miles northwest of Hama and near Deffa'i, a pictur-
esque village surrounded by poplars, are the remains of a Mohammedan road measur-
ing about twenty meters in length and five in width. By comparison with these hills
the immediate surroundings of Deffa'I seemed exceedingly fertile. The village is on
the east bank of the Orontes. The houses are partly hidden by the trees and some
high bushes. A great water-wheel dips into the river and as it is turned slowly by
the current it gives forth a doleful chant. The wheels, called are not
uncommon along the Orontes, and apparently smaller and cruder ones are to be found
along the Euphrates.* They lift the water to well-built aqueducts and serve to irri-
gate a limited area of fields and gardens.
Having arrived at Hama, we rode slowly through the tortuous alleys and the
crowded bazaars. Finally we came out on a broad street flanked by substantial stone
buildings and were guided to a coffee-house in which we were given fairly comfortable
quarters. We had been informed that certain Hittite inscriptions were still to be
found in Hama, but we were not successful in finding them. Possibly the large hill
i Peters: Nippur, VoL I, p. 141, photograph facing p. 148, and p. 154; Oppenheim: Vom Mitteimeer
zum Persischen Golf, pp. 333, 334.