Letter B
(nos.1 and 2) (al-Kerak Governorate)
Birket Abū K’ṭayneh, Birkat Abū Quṭaynah
JADIS nos. Birket al-Ḥājj 1: 1807002; Birket al-Ḥājj 2: 1907003
MEGA nos. Birket al-Ḥājj 1: 8823; Birket al-Ḥājj 2: 8824
Coordinates: Birket al-Ḥājj 1: 31°14'49.0"N 35°29'40.0"E
31.246944, 35.494444
Birket al-Ḥājj 2: 31°13'21.8"N 35°31'15.7"E
31.222717, 35.521025
Plan: unknown.
Measurements: unknown.
Exterior: unknown.
Interior: unknown.
Building Materials: unknown.
Construction details: unknown.
Preservation: unknown. The sanctuary of Shēkh Ṣāleḥ / Abū K’ṭayneh, described by Palmer (1871) and Musil (1907), have not been relocated yet (for Shēkh Ṣāleḥ, cf.here no. 189). The names for the reservoirs points to their use by Muslim pilgrims from W of the Dead Sea,i.e. Jerusalem and Hebron, who had the choice of crossing the ford across the Dead Sea to the Lisan Peninsula and onward to al-Kerak to the E up on the plateau, rather than traveling around the S end of the Dead Sea. Use of that ford across the Dead Sea is attested into the early 19th century. Birkat al-Ḥājj 2 is also well placed for use by travelers between Ghōr as-Sāfi and al-Kerak. Palmer’s Birket Abu K’ṭayneh and Glueck’s Birket al-Ḥājj is Birket al-Ḥājj 2, a modern reservoir refurbished in 1965, surveyed by King (et alii 1987, 445), where today there are reservoirs on either side of the Dead Sea highway. King’s survey was the first to note another reservoir, Birket al-Hājj 1, 3.5 km to the NW, a natural open pit where two cement reservoirs are now located (King et alii 1987: 445).
Inscription(s): none known
Date(s): none known.
Traveler Reports: “Keeping along by the desert shore, we reached the stream and ruins of N’meirah, where there is a welí, the tomb of Sheik Salâh, which is held in great estimation by the Ghawárineh Arabs…Passing next by a ruined tower called by the natives El Meraisid, we presently arrived at the Ghor es Sa‘ad, where we found an encampment of Mejelliát Arabs from Kerak... A little past the tower we came upon a ruined reservoir, named Birket Abū K’taineh, after a Muslim saint whose hermitage, we were told, we should find in the low hills to the east. Crossing these, we descended by a rugged crumbling path into a deep ravine, and in the opposite cliff beheld the object of which we were in search. It was a small rock-cut chamber, circular in shape, containing two niches, a store-closet, and a window, all hewn in the soft chalk, or marl, of which the hills are composed. The walls are covered with modern Arabic graffiti, and many representations of the human hand; the last-mentioned sign is commonly used in Palestine as a charm against the evil eye. These are probably the work of Arab pilgrims who visit the place on their road to Mecca. The Ghawárineh look upon it as a very holy place, make pilgrimages to the spot, and sacrifice there to Abū K’taineh: they say that the Jinns excavated the dwelling by supernatural means at the saint’s command. A little farther on are some stone heaps placed by the sea-shore; these, the Arabs of the country told us, are used as altars, upon which to sacrifice to Nebí Saláh, when the presence of hostile tribes makes it impossible for them to approach the welí itself. They are called Rujúm El Mowájehát, “Facing cairns,” and face the tomb of Nebí Saláh, which is plainly visible from the spot.” (Palmer 1871; 1872). “At 10:23 we came to the tomb of ruğm eš-Šejḫ Ṣâleḥ, who is said to have come from Karak and who is venerated here as the patron of sheep and goats, while people also offer him bread and milk (elevation: - 390 m).” (Musil 1907, translated from the German by RS). “At 4:10 p.m. we came to Birket al-Ḥâjj, which in the fairly recent past stored water for the pilgrims on their way to Mecca. Parts of the birkeh are now fallen in, but it could easily be made serviceable again …” (Glueck 1935).
Bibliography: Palmer 1872, 387-389; Palmer 1871, 62-63; Glueck 1935, 5-6; King et alii 1987, 445; Schick 2020 , no. 15.
