DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45588#0044
Der idj-Djuwani — Djisreh — Zubaiyir — Zebir
437
of a man executed in a most primitive style. These sculptures are not in keeping with
the mouldings of the base and cap of
the altar, which have good profiles,
and are carefully wrought.
Ill. 383. Djisreh, Altar.
111. 384. Tower on the Road to Khabeb.
148. ZUBAIYIR. 149. ZEBIR.
These are two deserted ruins situated a little to the west of north from Shr. They
stand on two slight elevations separated by less than a mile. Both present rather
inspiring pictures when viewed from a distance, because high walls and tower-like
structures rise above the general mass of the ruins in strong sillouette against the sky.
But, here again, as in the case of so many ruined towns in the region, a closer
examination is disappointing. Both places are occupied now by Bedawin encampments,
and we found the Arabs here not only suspicious but rather hostile. We visited Zubaiyir,
and examined it carefully; but had to be content with observing the other ruin with
field glasses owing to the hostility of the Arabs. Both sites, being near Khabeb at the
edge of the Ledja, have been visited by numerous explorers; but nothing of importance
has been reported from either of them. We found Zubaiyir quite uninteresting, con-
sisting of houses of the Christian period and of the poorer class. At Zebir M. Dussaud
saw a quadrangular fortress which he believed to be of Arab construction. Between
Zebir and Khabeb we passed two ancient round towers with sloping sides. One of these,
which is well preserved, is shown in the accompanying photograph (Ill. 384). This tower
has an entrance on the ground level and another large opening, like a doorway, about
437
of a man executed in a most primitive style. These sculptures are not in keeping with
the mouldings of the base and cap of
the altar, which have good profiles,
and are carefully wrought.
Ill. 383. Djisreh, Altar.
111. 384. Tower on the Road to Khabeb.
148. ZUBAIYIR. 149. ZEBIR.
These are two deserted ruins situated a little to the west of north from Shr. They
stand on two slight elevations separated by less than a mile. Both present rather
inspiring pictures when viewed from a distance, because high walls and tower-like
structures rise above the general mass of the ruins in strong sillouette against the sky.
But, here again, as in the case of so many ruined towns in the region, a closer
examination is disappointing. Both places are occupied now by Bedawin encampments,
and we found the Arabs here not only suspicious but rather hostile. We visited Zubaiyir,
and examined it carefully; but had to be content with observing the other ruin with
field glasses owing to the hostility of the Arabs. Both sites, being near Khabeb at the
edge of the Ledja, have been visited by numerous explorers; but nothing of importance
has been reported from either of them. We found Zubaiyir quite uninteresting, con-
sisting of houses of the Christian period and of the poorer class. At Zebir M. Dussaud
saw a quadrangular fortress which he believed to be of Arab construction. Between
Zebir and Khabeb we passed two ancient round towers with sloping sides. One of these,
which is well preserved, is shown in the accompanying photograph (Ill. 384). This tower
has an entrance on the ground level and another large opening, like a doorway, about