Description
Book SynopsisThis book is the first investigation of the relationship between Palmyra and its surrounding territory from the Roman to the early Islamic period since D. Schlumberger’s pioneer campaigns in the mountains northwest of Palmyra in the late 1930s. It discusses the agricultural potential of the hinterland, its role in the food supply of the city, and the interaction with the nomadic networks on the Syrian dry steppe. The investigation is based on an extensive joint Syrian-Norwegian surface survey north of Palmyra in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and on studies of satellite imagery. It contains a gazetteer of 70 new sites, which include numerous villages, estates, forts, stations and water management systems.
Table of ContentsPreface; Introduction; Survey. Survey area, methodology and implementation; Chronology of the sites; Topography and climate; Water supply. Wells, springs and cisterns; Villages and estates. The food supply of Palmyra; Forts and stations. Lines of communication.Palmyrene control of the territory; Conclusion; Gazetteer of surveyed sites: Wadi Abyad; Jebel Abyad; Wadi al-Takara; Jazal; Jebel Chaar; Wadi Jihar – Wadi Masaadé – Wadi Khabar; Jebel Merah; North of Jebel Chaar; Appendix: Safaitic inscriptions mentioning Tadmur; Bibliography
