BSY_FB_06_p074

74

Dersêta November 17-23, 1899

The ruins of this extensive town are about
half an hour to the north east of Bānḳûsa (p.61)
across a broad valley in which are a
number of olive groves. The site is now
occupied by a small Mohammedan
settlement and was occupied during the
middle ages by the Saracens who have
left traces in a number of pointed niches,
roughly built walls and two groups of
tombstones with dates ranging from 13th to 16th cent.

All the buildings are greatly dilapidated.
The chief monuments are a large church,
a polygonal baptistry, both of which
were published by De Vogüé and a large
number of private residences - some of
which are also mentioned by him.

The church is the largest in plan of any
in the whole district - It was quite simple
with broad semicircular apse completely
consealed by the east wall which was ornamented