PALMYRENA PALMYRA & THE SURROUNDING TERR

This 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 Contents

Preface

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

Dr Phil. Jørgen Christian Meyer is professor in Ancient History at the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion, University of Bergen, Norway. From 2008 to 2013 he was head of the project entitled Palmyrena: City, Hinterland and Caravan Trade between Orient and Occident.