Glossary of earthen architectural terms in Syria

We present an essential glossary of terms related to earthen architecture in northern Syria. The glossary is the outcome of a filed research on Syrian mud architecture carried out in collaboration with the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. The aim is to underline the various local earthen architectural terms and traditions of the country, focusing on those terms used in the northwest and on some terms used in rural building culture. During the on-site research and documentation focusing on the Syrian heritage of earthen architecture especially in the region of Aleppo, we faced the question of words (with their transcription) associated with elements of this special cultural landscape. We decided to prepare a primary glossary of terms describing this architectural culture where terms are described, summarized briefly and illustrated in order to allow a synthetic understanding of various earthen building cultures and terms in five main regions occupying the northern parts of Syria, extending from east to west in the following order: Al-Hasakah (Al-Qameshli), Ar-Raqqah, Aleppo, Idlib and Hama (Salamiyah) region which is considered as a continuity of the Idlib and Aleppo plains. We found common terms quite widespread across the entire north of Syria, in near classic Arabic, such as: Al-Baedar, Asas, Bab, Attabeh, Be’er, Baet Al-Muneh, Dar, Daraj, Ewan, Dekkeh, Fallah, Ellea, Gedar, Gurpha, Hajar Hammam, Haush, Hazeera, Hawwara, Kateph, Kels, Kashab barm, Lebn, Mastaba, Madafa, Madena, Marhad, Masjed, Matbakh, Matban, Mauqed, Memarje, Mezrab, Muallem, Mustauda’ Hatab, Nafeza, Najafeh, Qaleb, Qarea, Qarmeed, Qaus, Qefl, Qunn, Qesh, Qubba, Raff, Saha, Saqf, Sebat, Shurfa, Sur, Taqa, Tannur, Tebn, Teen, Teena, Turab, Zuqaq. Other terms are used in the northwest of Syria (Aleppo and Idlib regions), such as: Al-Fejje or Al-Kuara, Hakura, Zribeh, Khabia, Kehla, Muzarrek, Khum, Zreeqa. There are also some specific terms used in their own regions and not known elsewhere, such as: Dewar (Idlib),Qubbia (Hama), Tasee’ (Hama, and Ar-Raqqah), Oda (Aleppo, Idlib), Dewan (Ar-Raqqah), Medmak (with different meanings between Aleppo and Ar-Raqqah),