High Fortress
Byzantine (330–1453 CE)·Byzantine·🇸🇾 Homs Governorate, Syria
About
About High Fortress
High Fortress in Homs Governorate, Syria is a Byzantine (330–1453 CE) fortress attributed to Byzantine culture. Systematically investigated through aerial LiDAR and test trenching, it presents a principal enclosure with necropolis. Construction employs rubble core with facing and demonstrates long-distance exchange. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Byzantine fortress with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Water management and resilience
- 02Chronology and phasing of monuments
Theories
- 01Centralized storage and redistribution (Cunliffe)
- 02Defensive refuge and tribal capital
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. 585 CE
- Period
- Byzantine (330–1453 CE)
- Culture
- Byzantine
- Purpose
- Residential and craft production
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 585 CE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 701 CE
Major enlargement and wall circuit added
c. 965 CE
Peak occupation and regional prominence
2006
Scientific excavation and conservation
On the ground
Structures & features
34.8625° N · 37.1739° E · 2400 m · 3 mapped features
Principal Monument
entranceBurial zone — shaft tombs
34.8638° N · 37.1717° EPrincipal Monument 2
alignmentHydraulic feature — cistern
34.8642° N · 37.1746° EReservoir/Cistern
templeAncillary field system associated with main monument
34.8641° N · 37.1744° E