Harrat Al-Sham Kite Cluster (Syrian–Jordanian Harra Ridge)
Harra Ridge Kites · Harrat al-Sham Cross-Border Kites
PPN to Chalcolithic·Harra Neolithic lava-field hunters·🇸🇾 As-Suwayda Governorate, Harrat al-Sham Harra Ridge (Jordan–Syria border), Syria
About
About Harrat Al-Sham Kite Cluster (Syrian–Jordanian Harra Ridge)
Cross-border Harra ridge kite alignment 15 km north of Syrian–Jordanian border (1,120 m) on Harrat al-Sham lava field. Consists of 7 kites linear 6.2 km along harra ridge crest, each 140–380 m guiding walls following lava flow levees as natural wall segments (basalt flow edges 1–2 m high used as ready-made walls supplemented by piled stone). Pens 18–30 m with 3–5 pits; lava levee incorporation reduces built wall by 40%. Dates 7000–5000 BCE. Smoke signals from pens visible to Azraq basin 60 km south suggests inter-group signaling.
Why it mattersOnly lava-flow levee as kite wall — opportunistic use of volcanism.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Lava levee selection — visible or symbolic
Theories
- 01Lava-rim natural drive
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.7000 – 5000 BCE
- Period
- PPN to Chalcolithic
- Culture
- Harra Neolithic lava-field hunters
- Builders
- Harrat al-Sham harra communities
- Purpose
- Ridge-crest lava-levee kite system with natural lava walls
- Abandoned
- c.4800 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 2017 Syrian Harra aerial survey; 2019 cross-border mapping
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
7000 BCE
Earliest lava-levee kites
2017
Syrian Harra aerial records 7 kites
On the ground
Structures & features
32.7500° N · 37.0500° E · 1120 m · 2 mapped features
Lava-Levee Kite Harra-3
desert kite30-m pen with 60% natural lava levee walls
32.7520° N · 37.0480° EHarra Ridge Lava Levee Wall
wall380-m wall using 2-m high natural lava levee
32.7480° N · 37.0520° E