Une petite cité caravaniere: Suhné.

Large 4to (230 x 300 mm). 138 pp. With 11 photographic numbered (folding) plates. Some maps and plans in the text. Original printed wrappers. Unique ethnographic study of Sukhnah (Suhné), a caravan town north-east of Palmyra in Syria. Describes the material, social, political and economic situation of the village population, some aspects of which have likely remained unchanged since biblical times. The plates include two striking aearial views of the Sukhnah area, conjoint with moving images of wretched houses and interiors, groups of children, street scenes, the local Hammam as the primary source of water, olive presses and flocks of camels. - Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, al-Sukhnah served as an important trade centre in the Syrian Desert among the inhabitants of nearby villages and various Bedouin tribes. By the mid-19th century, however, its role decreased with the rise of Deir ez-Zor, and many of its inhabitants migrated to that city and to Aleppo, Homs and Hama. In the early 20th century, al-Sukhnah had about 100 houses and a large, fortified outpost manned by an Ottoman garrison. Its inhabitants were impoverished and engaged in the subsistence farming of grain. However, until the present day, al-Sukhnah continues to function as a trading centre between its residents and the tribes in its vicinity, such as the 'Umur and the Sba'a, two sub-branches of the 'Anizzah. - Small marginal tears to wrappers. Occasional light brownstaining. - Dussaud, Syria 19, 1, 96 ("very complete monography"). OCLC 969972978.