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70

Dier Sambil

This is one of the important ruins visited
by de Vogüé. It is situated on the eastern slope
of the higher ridges of the Djebel Rîhā, south
west of Ruwêḥā. The ruins comprise a large
church, almost completely destroyed and a
very interesting group of houses large and small.

The rock cut tombs are of special interest
for their numerous inscriptions.

Church. The church stands on the higher part of the town
to the west. Like the north church at Ruwêḥā it
was surrounded by a stony wall. The plan was
of the ordinary type but only the west front is
preserved. The lines of the apse are barely
traceable. The exterior, judging from the west wall,
was quite plain. The three western portals carry
very simple lintels of discs but the interior has
capitals and bases of considerable richness in
flowing construction style mingled with Christian
symbols - a little digging showed mosaic
pavement in the nave but these are completely
destroyed.