"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد IV .١٩١٧" [ظ‎‎١‎٣‎٦] (٥٣٠/٢٧٧)

268
LAND ROUTES
KOUTB 94:
NISIBIN—MAEDIN (37 m.)
Authorities :—Military Report on E. T.A,, vol. iv, Route 181 (report of January, 1903),
Military Report on Arabia, Route 22 (report of 1903). Route report of 1907,
Notes by a traveller who went over the route a few years before the war
(exact date uncertain).
As far as Tel Hurrin the road is an unmetalled track, passable for
carts, over country practically flat, with no impediment to passage
of all arms in dry weather; but it is made very heavy by rain.
The road is brown soil for 15 m. from Nisibin ; thereafter it is
stony. The general direction is WNW. At 4^ m. from Mardln
the road begins to ascend, but the ascent is by a metalled car
riage-road, systematically graded: this was reported good and the
gradients fairly easy in 1903: an authority of 1907 states that
the gradients are steep, and the surface is worn in places. In the
region of Dara there are said to be alternative roads. A steep range
of mountains is on the r. all the way, 2 to 5 m. off, 1,500 ft. or
more above the plain : the lower slopes are stony, with some grazing ;
the upper slopes have brushwood and trees. Streams are no
obstacles ; they are shallow in wide stony beds. Water is found in
wells at villages and in streams at Dara and Nisibin (in the dry
season of 1903 it was reported that there was hardly any water except
in the above-mentioned streams, which were ample for military
purposes). Supplies en route sufficient for travellers, but hardly
any for military purposes. Camping-grounds at Nisibin and Dara.
The country near the route contains fairly numerous villages, the
inhabitants being mainly Kurdish, with some Syrian Christians in
places.
In 1903 the march from Mardln to Nisibin was made by a traveller in the
following times:
Hrs.
0 Mardln.
6^ Data.
12f Nisibin.
A later authority gives the following times 2
Hrs.
0 Mardln.
6| Tel 'Amudeh (Dara).
10J Nisibin.