334. Samra, as- Khirbet | الخربة السمرا

al-Mafraq Governorate

Masjid

JADIS no. 251 7001

MEGA no. 2659

Coordinates: 32°10'50.8"N 36°09'46.0"E

32.180778, 36.162772

Plan: broad rectangular with rectangular miḥrāb (directed to SW!) in the middle of the S wall facing the main entrance from the N. The shift of the qibla direction to the SW is remarkable It is difficult to decide whether this was only a planning mistake or done intentionally (for the discussion of this problem cf. Schumm 2010). A smaller door opens in the W wall. In the NE corner are the remains of the apse of a Christian church fig. 334.4). In prolongation of the N entrance runs a corridor to the NW. It is flanked on both sides by each one rectangular terrace (ziyādeh) which is marked by each one column drum at the NE and NW corners (Fig. 334.5). This corridor merges into a rectangular open courtyard with slightly curved W enclosure wall.

Measurements: 70.4 m²

Exterior: total length from S wall of prayer hall to the N wall of the open courtyard 26.8 m; total width 19.6 m. Prayer Hall 19.6 x 4.6 m.

Interior: prayer hall 16 x 4.4 m.

Building Materials: predominantly dark-blue basalt combined with white limestone and chert. The threshold of the W entrance consists of a monolithic block of white limestone with holes for the door hinges (fig. 334.6). In the fill of the W podium are two older well-dressed blocks of a window frame inserted as spolia (fig. 334.7). The qibla wall of the interior was intentionally reinforced by rows of massive white limestone blocks. The N wall consists predominantly of limestone with some basalt ashlars. A bi-chrome contrast of black and white architectural elements was certainly intended by the Muslim constructors. The two column shaft drums flanking the ziyādeh (fig. 334.5) consist of basalt and have most probably been reused as Roman or Byzantine spolia from the Christian church.

Construction details: The exterior walls of the mosque are constructed in two-sided basalt masonry in isodomic bondage with interior fill of rubble and earth. The thick S wall of the prayer hall has been reinforced by an additional row of white limestone ashlars. The strength of the corresponding N wall points to the roofing by a barrel vault in E-W direction. The segment of the surviving apse is directed exactly to the E and consists exclusively of dark basalt blocks with roughly finished surfaces.

Preservation: excavated and conserved in a ruined state of preservation; the ruin is accessible today for visitors, not used for Muslim prayer.

Inscription(s): none known.

Date(s): Umayyad (Rajoub - Housan 2013). The shift of the qibla direction towards Jerusalem might eventually indicate an early date, eventually to the period of the Rashidūn Califate. Such a hypothesis, however, needs further evidence by future investigations.

Traveler Reports: none known.

Bibliography: Rjoub – Housan 2013, 477 no. 16.