45. ‘Azraq, al-, Drūz (north)| أزرق الدروز / الأزرق الشمالي

az-Zarqā’ Governorate

Maqām Maḥmūd al-Ḥamūd

JADIS no. 321 14003

MEGA no. 7938 (‘Azraq Drūz, maqām not registered).

Coordinates: 31°52'46.0"N 36°49'27.0"E

31.879444, 36.824167

Plan: The stepped tomb of rectangular plan in E-W orientation is located in a larger Drūz cemetery, only few meters to the NE are the tombs of the Shēkh’s sons of heaped undressed basalt stones. The graveyard has been recently delimited by a low irregular wall of basalt stones.

Measurements: unknown.

Exterior: unknown.

Interior: unknown.

Building Materials: bluish- dark grey olivine basalt local origin with slight purple shade by patination. The lower  courses of the masonry display faint remains of white wash paint.

Construction details: The tomb is constructed of five horizontal layers of dressed basalt blocks, partly stepped, and filled inside with basalt boulders and rubble. At the E and W short sides each one well-dressed rectangular basalt stele with rounded tops and smooth outside faces, both of them carrying the memorial inscriptions. At the E short side in the center of the third stone row (from bottom) one stone has been spared for memorial liturgical practices.

Preservation: intact; in a square hole at the E side, the participants of the GJU survey on November 2nd, 2019 found ashes (of burned incense), on the steps many drops of melted wax. As thrown cartons in the immediate environment of the tomb indicate, the lightening of candles is still practiced in present days. 

Inscription(s): On the head-stone at the W side an Arabic inscription (1) in six engraved lines (transcription and translations by NAt):

Translation: “In the name of Allāh, the Merciful, the Compassionate. This is the grave of the deceased Maḥmūd alḤamūd,14.11.1932 (AD).”

Upon the foot stone of corresponding shape and size in second inscription (2) on four lines referring to the first one and giving the date of the inhumation in the Hijri calender:

Translation: “(In the year Hijri 1351 (month of) Ramadān 18.”

Date(s): 18th Ramadān 1351 H (= January 15th, 1933 AD). The Shēkh is still today a well-known personality  under the Druz population. At the date of the GJU survey on November 2nd, 2019 some immediate relatives of this  noble  man were still alive who reported orally about  his life.

Traveler Reports: none known.

Bibliography: For Druze burials in Jordan see Lash - Horun 20018.