BSY_FB_17-22

22

Ḍumêr May 12, 1900

There ^ are ^ 100 miles between Ḍumêr and
ancient Salaminius and the two places
have little in common in their antiquities
but it is convenient for the present to
make the center of Syria a geographical
division with the Haouran. All the
region from the Djebel Ḥass, in fact,
to and including the Haouran have
one feature in common. That is the
employment of basaltic stone for
all buildings.

The only remains of importance in
Ḍumêr are of classic character.
The great central feature of the town,
rising above the low modern village
is a temple like structure preserved
almost intact. This building, which
has the general form and outlines of a
classic temple, differs from all known
temples in having a great portal at
either end - east and west - and massive