Page 182 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

IX.] GULF OF ’AKABAH. 163

The Arabs point out some ruins on both sides

of the valley, which they say are of Nassari,
or Christian origin. They were in too dilapi­

dated a state to enable us to ascertain what
claim they have to such an appellation; but
that they are not Arabian, appears evident,
since the former occupants constructed an
aqueduct leading from the valley to the beach,
at the cost of more trouble and labour than in
all probability the Bedowins, under any cir­
cumstances, would have bestowed on such an
undertaking. It is a mile and a half in length,
and about two feet in width, varying in height

with the inequalities of the ground, the lower
portion being constructed of stones cemented
together, and the upper part or channel, of
burnt tiles. By this the water was conducted
from the valley to a reservoir near the beach,
of which there are still some remains.
The nature of the soil in the valley, and
the facilities which the numerous streams
present for irrigating it, are, with the usual
apathy and indifference to agricultural pur­
suits common to the Bedowins, almost entirely

overlooked. Thus, a spot which industry in
one or two seasons would render remarkable

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