Al-Jarud

Al-Jarud, located in present-day Syria, was a minor regional center and a hub for trade during its peak in the 9th century CE. The archaeological site is identified with the ruins of Kharāb Sayyār, covering about 42 hectares. The city was fortified with a rectangular wall and half-round towers, reflecting its strategic importance. A geophysical survey and excavation revealed numerous structures within the city's confines, including a mosque, market, and residential buildings, alongside a water supply system and a bathhouse. The city's building phases primarily occurred in the mid-9th century CE, coinciding with the Abbasid period when agricultural demands were high. Al-Jarud's abandonment is estimated to have occurred soon after 900 CE, as suggested by numismatic evidence and pottery dating.