"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎٣‎٥] (٤٣٢/٣٤٤)

Miles from
Deir ez-
Zor
133
161?
191?
(w)
ROUTE 54
385
4 to 5 m. long and f of a m. broad, and lies in a flat
depression between the city and the desert plateau.
The salt, procured by evaporation, is very fine. There
are several small watch-houses on the shore of the lake.
The greater part of the inhabitants now dwell within
the protecting walls of the ancient Temple of the Sun.
To the NW. of this temple a barracks has been built
■ and, as a result of the security afforded, the town has
grown to the E. and N. There is a school. The Mudir
resident here is under the Mutessarif of Deir. Tadmor
had formerly, despite its small population, a thriving
market which provided the Arabs of the desert with
necessaries. This business has now gone to increase
the prosperity of Deir.
Water-supply from a single well. Time from Erek, 3^ hrs.
Many of the pillars of the ancient city are standing and
some walls and towers are in very fair preservation.
From Tadmor there are two or more tracks to Damascus.
(i) By Qasr Hazim and Bir Zobeideh, the most direct
but least known route.
(ii) By Qaryateiu and Nabq.. This is said to be the regular
caravan route. (For alternative to the stage as far as
Qaryatein see Boute 58 a.)
E oute (i).
Track runs apparently SW. or SSW.
Several deep wells called Bir Sakr (1878).
Euined tower called Qasr Hazim.
Track runs SW. up a wadi between two well-marked
ridges, passing after some miles a ruined khan called
Halbeh..
Bir el-Bnseiri, well of good water, 60 ft. below the
surface.
Track now passes between two high hills, Eokleh. to r.
and Bnmmakh to 1.
On this stage some water-holes are passed.
Camping-ground in this neighbourhood. There is a spring
of good water called Bir Zobeideh. in the Jebel Rank
which bound the plain to the N. (1898).
Track approaches the hills, which it skirts.