Jebel Druze (Jabal al-Arab) Kite Field
Jabal al-Druze Kites · Suwayda Harraat Kites
Late Neolithic to Chalcolithic·Late Neolithic / Ghassulian·🇸🇾 As-Suwayda Governorate, Jebel Druze volcanic field, Syria
About
About Jebel Druze (Jabal al-Arab) Kite Field
Forty-eight kites arrayed across the southern slope of Jebel Druze, a 1,800-m shield volcano whose basalt flows create 'whaleback' traps. Unlike flat harraat kites, these exploit natural lava flow channels as funnel walls, augmented by low 0.3-m basalt alignments forming ovate 20–30 m enclosures. Dated to Late Neolithic–Chalcolithic (6000–3500 BCE) via pressure-flaked arrowheads (Byblos points) in pits, the field shows adaptation to montane gazelle and aurochs. The mountain context is unique — kites at 1,100–1,400 m elevation, the highest Levantine kite province.
Why it mattersHighest-elevation and only montane-volcanic kite adaptation in Levant.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Aurochs vs gazelle target at altitude
Theories
- 01Montane transhumance trapping
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.6000 – 3500 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic to Chalcolithic
- Culture
- Late Neolithic / Ghassulian
- Builders
- Hauran montane pastoralists
- Purpose
- Montane gazelle/aurochs funnel trapping
- Abandoned
- c.3000 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1967 Poidebard aerial; 2018 Kempe ground survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
6000 BCE
Earliest lava-channel walls
2018
Kempe maps 48 montane kites
On the ground
Structures & features
32.6800° N · 36.7200° E · 1150 m · 2 mapped features
Lava-Channel Kite L-8
geoglyphOvate enclosure using lava flow
32.6810° N · 36.7220° ESummit Wall T-2
earthwork300-m augmented lava wall
32.6750° N · 36.7180° E