Jabab in the northern countryside of Dara ‘a, teeming with the remains of palaces and archaeological arches

The town of Jabab is the northern gate of Dara ‘a governorate, and is classified as an ancient town located between the archaeological area of Lajat on one side and the Hauran plain on the other. The town is adorned with the remains of palaces, archaeological arches and inscriptions that date back to the Roman and Byzantine periods.

In a statement to SANA, Head of the Antiquities Division in al-Sanamain, Archaeologist, Basil Al-Jahmani, indicated that the northern part of the town of Jabab is a group of natural hills, including Al-Thawra hill, 672 AD, and al-Jedd hill, 763 AD. In the south-east, there is a group of limestone hills called al-Hameir hills

He explained that the archaeological area is located in the middle of the town where the visitor will enjoy touring many ancient houses built with black basalt stone as well as an ancient building believed to be a church in addition to several inscriptions and writings that have not been studied yet, mostly from the Roman and Byzantine eras.

He pointed out that the town of Jabab contains remains of palaces with ancient writings and inscriptions, archaeological arches and columns representing the Roman and Byzantine architectural styles, in addition to the railway building, important traditional stone houses, and the archaeological cemetery that was discovered during the fortifications work, in which a dagger of worn iron with some Pottery finds were found.

He pointed out that the shape and composition of the natural rocks at the site demonstrate the existence of a semi-circular settlement with a diameter of about 500 meters on the two banks of Wadi Abu al-Khanafes, representing a temporary settlement dating back to 1000 BC, i.e., to the beginnings of the Iron Age, indicating that the excavation in the cemetery revealed one of the roof tiles built with natural basalt stones.

The village of Jabab is about 40 kilometers south of Damascus and about 60 kilometers from Dara ‘a. It is administratively affiliated to Ghabagheb sub-district in the Al-Sanamain area.

Amal Farhat