The traditional architecture of western Syria1 has not yet been the object of a general summary, and the few available studies tell us about some elements of architectural types or buildings in earth and in stone. R. Thoumin attempted at the time of mandate to publish an analysis on the architecture of Damascus and the region of Qalamoun with the aim of presenting a first overview on the relationship between the architectural types and the different geographical features of central Syria. There are several publications on this matter, but without a global view.2 Gh. Al-Jundi has provided, in collaboration with UNESCO, a first synthesis combining a rich architectural documentation on Syria with plans, sections and photographs.3 Önhan Tunca, as part of an exhibition, with a team of the Belgian Mission, brought together documentation provided on the northern extremes of Syria around Sabkhat el-Jabboul. The purpose of this study was to provide a clear vision of the site of Umm el-Marra.4 K. Putt presented in a widely documented book a comprehensive overview on traditional architecture in Syria with a typology after several field missions.5 Finally, Mahmoud Bendakir has recently published a study of architecture with numerous illustrations and sometimes detailed documentation (graphic and photographic).6 Overview of the region The region chosen here is at the western edge of the Syrian steppe in an area relatively rich in water resources and agriculture. The average rainfall never exceeds 200 mm, which hardly allows for profitable agriculture. However,
For the development of domestic architecture in Syria from the Neolithic era to the Arab-Islamic period see: Aurenche 1981 and Castel, Al-Maqdissi & Villeneuve (eds) 1997. 2 See: Thoumin 1933. 3 See: Al-Jundi 1984. 4 See: Tunca, Meunier, Lamisse & Stockeyr 1991. 5 See: Pütt 2005. 6 See: Bendakir 2008. 1
Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, Damascus, Syria
water management systems, renowned since ancient times, encouraged the cultivation of land and settlement. The available archaeological documentation reveals a complex situation characterized by several phases of development.7 The first major development in this region must go back to 2,600 bc to the time of the second urban revolution in the Middle East. This first mass settlement left important remains in the study area, particularly in cities8. At the beginning of the second millennium, a further phase begins with the arrival of the Amorites, leading to the creation of the city of Qatna and communication routes connecting the Mediterranean coast to the valley of the Euphrates. The third development phase occurs after the settlement of the Aramaeans towards the ninth century bc, which sets up the conditions capable of promoting economic progress in the kingdoms of Hama and Aram. The takeover by the neo-Assyrian empire in this region then tails off and it is not until the arrival of Alexander the Great in 333 bc that the region experiences one of its most brilliant periods. Its development is to focus directly on the Orontes at the sites of Aréthuse (Hellenistic period) and Emes (RomanSee in this regard: al-Dbiyat 1995. See for the documentation for Mishirfeh and its region, Al-Maqdissi 20081, pp. 3-41; Al-Maqdissi 20082, pp. 5-10 and Al-Maqdissi 2009.
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Earthen Domes and Habitats
Domestic earthen dome architecture of Central Syria
Michel al-Maqdissi Antoine Suleiman Fadia Abou Sekeh