DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36287#0084
6o
TOPOGRAPHY OF NORTHERN CENTRAL SYRIA,
From Ruweha we made short trips to the'south and southwest, visiting other ruins
that we had not been able to see before; some of these, I believe, had never before
been visited by a foreigner. At Blnin we witnessed a scene to which our eyes were
not altogether accustomed. Some shepherd boys were racing toward a pool of water
and their flocks ran playfully after them. It was evident that the sheep were com-
panions and pets of their masters and were not used to being driven. Djeradeh
proved to be of exceptional interest. Many of its buildings are in good condition and
among them is a tower five stories in height. While exploring the eastern foothills
of the Djebel Riha we discovered many inscriptions. On one day alone we found
twenty-eight.
On the ioth of April we Anished the study of
that region and started northward toward Riftin,
passing through Sermin, Binnish, and several more
quite prosperous villages. Instead of going by way
of Kefr Kermin on April 12th and then over the
great Roman road, we crossed Djebel Halakah at
a point not far from the eastern slope of Djebel
Barisha. The hill is low and the ride to the plain
of Sermeda is not difhcult. That night we pitched
camp in Babiskad We went back there for the
purpose of making a squeeze of the large portal
opening from the cloister court into the baptistery S
Contrary to the hope we entertained in the autumn,
we did not discover another portal so elaborately and beautifully carved.
At Babiska the party was augmented by the arrival of Dr. Post. His Arst day in
camp was very successful, for he found among the ruins near by one hundred and
twenty-Ave different plants, one or two of which were unknown varieties.
Easter Sunday was spent at Babiska, and Dr. Post held a short service in Arabic
for the beneAt of the camp attendants and a few men from the neighborhood. A
bandit who had attached himself to us in the capacity of guide, and Hamdu from
Bashmishli, were also there. It was Hamdu who had given us so much trouble in
the autumnd The group numbered about thirty Moslems, Druses, and Christians.
They listened attentively and gave assent in unison when reference was made to the
greatness of God; and when Dr. Post spoke of the "damned devil " leading Adam
and Eve astray, they responded, "Curse him!" It was an impressive ceremony.
Hamdu seemed to feel no resentment for the chastisement he had received through
us and on our account. In the evening a festivity was held which the Syrians term
aSome of the men danced, and two of them, with sheepskins thrown over
iSeep. 17. 2PartII, p. 133. sgggpp
A primitive " Ferris wheel" at Dadikh,
near E. edge of Djebel Riha
TOPOGRAPHY OF NORTHERN CENTRAL SYRIA,
From Ruweha we made short trips to the'south and southwest, visiting other ruins
that we had not been able to see before; some of these, I believe, had never before
been visited by a foreigner. At Blnin we witnessed a scene to which our eyes were
not altogether accustomed. Some shepherd boys were racing toward a pool of water
and their flocks ran playfully after them. It was evident that the sheep were com-
panions and pets of their masters and were not used to being driven. Djeradeh
proved to be of exceptional interest. Many of its buildings are in good condition and
among them is a tower five stories in height. While exploring the eastern foothills
of the Djebel Riha we discovered many inscriptions. On one day alone we found
twenty-eight.
On the ioth of April we Anished the study of
that region and started northward toward Riftin,
passing through Sermin, Binnish, and several more
quite prosperous villages. Instead of going by way
of Kefr Kermin on April 12th and then over the
great Roman road, we crossed Djebel Halakah at
a point not far from the eastern slope of Djebel
Barisha. The hill is low and the ride to the plain
of Sermeda is not difhcult. That night we pitched
camp in Babiskad We went back there for the
purpose of making a squeeze of the large portal
opening from the cloister court into the baptistery S
Contrary to the hope we entertained in the autumn,
we did not discover another portal so elaborately and beautifully carved.
At Babiska the party was augmented by the arrival of Dr. Post. His Arst day in
camp was very successful, for he found among the ruins near by one hundred and
twenty-Ave different plants, one or two of which were unknown varieties.
Easter Sunday was spent at Babiska, and Dr. Post held a short service in Arabic
for the beneAt of the camp attendants and a few men from the neighborhood. A
bandit who had attached himself to us in the capacity of guide, and Hamdu from
Bashmishli, were also there. It was Hamdu who had given us so much trouble in
the autumnd The group numbered about thirty Moslems, Druses, and Christians.
They listened attentively and gave assent in unison when reference was made to the
greatness of God; and when Dr. Post spoke of the "damned devil " leading Adam
and Eve astray, they responded, "Curse him!" It was an impressive ceremony.
Hamdu seemed to feel no resentment for the chastisement he had received through
us and on our account. In the evening a festivity was held which the Syrians term
aSome of the men danced, and two of them, with sheepskins thrown over
iSeep. 17. 2PartII, p. 133. sgggpp
A primitive " Ferris wheel" at Dadikh,
near E. edge of Djebel Riha