DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45581#0092
Umm iKKutten
137
58. IL-MUGHAIYIR.
This is a small inhabited village in which only a single ancient wall was seen as
we passed through the southern and eastern parts of the village. This fragment of
wall was built in ordinary roughly quadrated work, and shows a doorway and a window
in the upper story. The place offers very few evidences of ancient remains, and our
stop there was of very short duration.
59. UMM IL-KUTTEN.
With the exception of Umm idj-Djimal, this is by far the largest of the ruined
towns of the Southern Hauran. The ruin occupies a comparatively flat area which
slopes gently toward the south; it is entirely deserted, and appears to have been un-
inhabited for centuries (Ill. 116). The town is definitely outlined as if by a circuit
wall, is very compactly built, and extends over half a mile north and south. There
are two separate divisions of the ruin, marked off by a depression, 50 m. wide, like a
Ill. 116. Umm il-Kutten; View from the South.
very broad moat, that extends from the east side of the town to the west side. The
northern division is smaller than the other, and more compactly built. In place of the
narrow streets, and cramped tortuous lanes, common in the majority of these ruined
towns in the Southern Hauran, one finds here broader streets, quite straight for con-
siderable distances, and several small open spaces. There are no remains of Classic
architecture visible, and none that can be dated earlier than the fourth century of our
era·, though numerous Nabataean inscriptions have been found in the ruins, by M. Dussaud
and by our expedition. One of these mentions the name of the Nabataean King
Rabbel,1 and can be dated in the year 93 A.D. Among the more important of the
ruined buildings I would mention four churches, one of which is connected with a large
monastery, two chapels, five or six large private residences with high towers, and.a
built tomb that may have been erected under Nabataean influence. On the outskirts of the
M.S.M. 710. (5)
137
58. IL-MUGHAIYIR.
This is a small inhabited village in which only a single ancient wall was seen as
we passed through the southern and eastern parts of the village. This fragment of
wall was built in ordinary roughly quadrated work, and shows a doorway and a window
in the upper story. The place offers very few evidences of ancient remains, and our
stop there was of very short duration.
59. UMM IL-KUTTEN.
With the exception of Umm idj-Djimal, this is by far the largest of the ruined
towns of the Southern Hauran. The ruin occupies a comparatively flat area which
slopes gently toward the south; it is entirely deserted, and appears to have been un-
inhabited for centuries (Ill. 116). The town is definitely outlined as if by a circuit
wall, is very compactly built, and extends over half a mile north and south. There
are two separate divisions of the ruin, marked off by a depression, 50 m. wide, like a
Ill. 116. Umm il-Kutten; View from the South.
very broad moat, that extends from the east side of the town to the west side. The
northern division is smaller than the other, and more compactly built. In place of the
narrow streets, and cramped tortuous lanes, common in the majority of these ruined
towns in the Southern Hauran, one finds here broader streets, quite straight for con-
siderable distances, and several small open spaces. There are no remains of Classic
architecture visible, and none that can be dated earlier than the fourth century of our
era·, though numerous Nabataean inscriptions have been found in the ruins, by M. Dussaud
and by our expedition. One of these mentions the name of the Nabataean King
Rabbel,1 and can be dated in the year 93 A.D. Among the more important of the
ruined buildings I would mention four churches, one of which is connected with a large
monastery, two chapels, five or six large private residences with high towers, and.a
built tomb that may have been erected under Nabataean influence. On the outskirts of the
M.S.M. 710. (5)