RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Salfit, 25 January 2022. The archaeological “Dar Al-Darb” site in the town of Qarawat Bani Hassan, west of Salfit.

0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Ibrahim Assi, Mayor of Qarawat Bani Hassan

STORYLINE:

Qarawat Bani Hassan is a Palestinian town in the Salfit Governorate, located thirty kilometers southwest of Nablus and 8 kilometers northwest of Salfit in the northern West Bank.

About 1/2 mile SE of the village centre is Deir ed Derb "The monastery of the road", described as "one of the finest sepulchral monuments in the country". In 1873 when it was visited, it was described as having three chambers. The portico had a 50 ft long Doric cornice in front, and was supported by two Ionic columns and two pilasters. 15 triglyphs and 14 rosettes were cut, where all the rosettes were of different designs. It looked as if the work was not quite finished, as not all the gutta had been carved. The walls of the portico are carved to resemble irregular drafted masonry.The structure bears a strong resemblance to some tombs by Jerusalem, which have been dated to 1st century CE.

Footage by / APAwir