'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. III. 1917' [‎327] (336/432)

ROUTE 52
827
m
Kebeiseh is the seat of a Mudir. It is subjected to
continual depredations from the Anazeh, and is the last
inhabited centre on this route until Syria is reached.
The route goes WSW.
'Ain Za zu. There is said to be water here, drinkable but
disagreeable. Clover is sown here, as at other springs,
for fodder in rainless years. Track follows a shallow
valley westwards, and then rises over the Jebel Muzahir,
50 ft. high, the first of a number of long bare ridges.
Before Qasr Khebas the land falls suddenly for about 130 ft.
Qasr Khebas. Euin, walls still about 10 ft. high ; vault
of portal entire. To the N. is a wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. in which are traces
of a large masonry tank, now leaky, and half full of
soil. Good grass is found round it.
Leaving Khebas the route proceeds slightly S. of W. From
here to Damascus the route is sometimes called the
Darb Zobeidah.
Rijm es-Sabun, small mound with ruined building of
large blocks is passed lying about 6 m. to S. A few miles
beyond this one enters the Qasr Amij district and the
desert of El-Dhai'ah or El-Dhuwaiah.
Qasr Amij. No water. The is a ruin built on the
steepest side of a plateau. The only remains are the
foundations and the gate with its arch. At a little
distance to the W. of the there is a basin nearly
40 ft. square, now filled up with sand.
Mound or heap of stones, apparently called Rijui es-Sabun.
Remains of enclosure walls are found on both sides of the
route, and may be traced for about 1^ m.
Cross Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. el-Mu c aisir which rises about 5 m. SE. of the
route and after a course of about 12 m. in a NW. direction
runs into the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hauran.
Cross the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Haurau. Ruins of Qasr Aiwar (Muheiwir)
on the r. bank of the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. . The arched gate is said to be
still standing. The wells of Aiwar number twelve, but
seven are filled up. They are in the bed of the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. , and
have been dug in the gravel, their walls being made up
with large round blocks taken from the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. . The
water, which is very good, is found 13 to 14 ft. down.
On the opposite bank, facing Qasr Aiwar, there is a
ruined tomb, and all around for a considerable area are
tombs, this being the burying-place of the Solubbeh, who