78. Buṣayrā | بصيرا

aṭ-Ṭafīlah Governorate

Maqām Nēbi Shayth

JADIS no. 2001013

MEGA no. 9175

Coordinates: 30°44'23.0"N 35°36'25.0"E

30.739722, 35.606944

Plan: unknown.

Measurements: unknown.

Exterior: unknown.

Interior: unknown.

Building Materials: unknown.

Construction details: unknown.

Preservation: On a paved piazza in the S backyard of the mosque is an impressive olive tree of considerable age beside a rounded cylindrical water tank lined with modern limestone masonry (fig. 78.1). At the S enclosure wall several courses of undressed stones appear under the concrete superstructure (fig. 78.2) which might be considered as remnants of the old maqām. According to interviewed locals is this still today a place of irregular community assemblage for prayer. Some older inhabitants reported that there was once a building for the prophet but the narratives about the decline and demolishment of the sanctuary were contradictory.

Inscription(s): none known.

Date(s): unknown.

Traveler Reports: “Von der Südwestecke dieses Turmes gewahrt man auch nach 24 Schritten rechter Hand einen Mizâr, heiligen Ort, der auch zur sicheren Aufbewahrung von Stämmen aus ‘Ar‘ar-Holz dient.” (A. Musil 1900, in: Arabia Petraea).

Bibliography: Arabia Petraea II, 320; Samman - Tabbah 2019, no.1; Schick 2020, no. 10.