Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern
Crusader (1115 CE) + Ayyubid/Mamluk·Crusader Latin Kingdom / Ayyubid·🇯🇴 Ma'an Governorate, Shobak, Montreal hill, Jordan
About
About Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern
Shobak excavated by Brown 1990s, 1115 Baldwin I foundation besieged by Saladin, secret spring tunnel unique. Recorded context — Period: Crusader (1115 CE) + Ayyubid/Mamluk; Culture: Crusader Latin Kingdom / Ayyubid; Field status: partially excavated; Materials: limestone, basalt; Condition: ruins.
Why it mattersKey Crusader Latin Kingdom / Ayyubid fortress with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
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. 1115 CE by Baldwin I; church 1116
- Period
- Crusader (1115 CE) + Ayyubid/Mamluk
- Culture
- Crusader Latin Kingdom / Ayyubid
- Purpose
- Hilltop Crusader castle (Monte Real) with 375-step rock-cut tunnel to spring — desert water fortress
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1886
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern
c. 1200 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern
c. 1115 CE by Baldwin I; church 1116
Initial construction / first occupation at Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern
On the ground
Structures & features
30.5280° N · 35.5610° E · 1330 m · 3 mapped features
- Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern — Principal Structurestructurestructure at Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern — primary structure30.5272° N · 35.5611° E
- Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern — Complex Annex 2complexcomplex at Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern — primary structure30.5281° N · 35.5621° E
- Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern — Southern Rock Artrock artrock art at Shobak — Crusader Montreal Castle Cistern — outlier feature30.5284° N · 35.5597° E
Gallery