ROCK DWELLING IN THE SHOWBAK CASTLE AREA (Abstract)

Showbak Castle Hill and the surrounding area favored the development of various natural caves. Many of these caves have been expanded and renovated by human activities, and their use lasted for a long time. Near these structures there is the presence of extensive terracing systems, of various shapes and sizes, still used. In the considered area, five different settlements have been identified: hill of the castle characterized by three hypogeal structures adapted for burial and, in a specific case, a place of worship with the presence of arcosolium; hill in front of the castle, called Towr Aba-Ras, with a lot of hypogea for housing, for shelter of flocks and for burials. Outside some buildings for water canals and a burial plant carved into the rock; settlement called Habis 1 with reconstructed cavities on several levels with burials, engravings and depictions of crosses of Christian origins; area called Al Jaya, with many epigee structures and cavity adaptations, still used today; area called Habis 2 near Al Mukairya village. This is the largest settlement and in its interior there are still structures that have been used for a long time.