Unexplored Syria
Visits to the Libanus, the Tulúl el Safá, the Anti-Libanus, the Northern Libanus, and the 'Aláh

Published in 1872, this unusual two-volume guide explores the geography, natural history, politics and culture of Syria's remote provinces.

Richard Francis Burton (Author), Charles Frederick Tyrwhitt Drake (Author)

9781108052030, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 June 2012

436 pages, 34 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.55 kg

After his diplomatic sojourn in Syria as consul in Damascus, Richard Francis Burton (1821–90) published, in 1872, this two-volume account of nineteenth-century Syria. It is the result of collaboration with several partners with specific expertise, primarily Charles Frederick Tyrwhitt Drake (1846–74) but also Burton's wife. Throughout his life Burton immersed himself in as many different cultures as possible. His natural aptitude for languages and disguise allowed him to frequently pass himself off as a native. The two years he was consul were eventful, including local uprisings, an assassination attempt and religious strife. This work reveals the unknown and extraordinary side of Syria. Volume 2, based on extensive travels through the northern highlands and the eastern edges of the country, explores the anthropology, ancient history, archaeology and geology of these regions.

1. A reconnaissance of the Anti-Libanus
2. Notes on the northern slopes of Lebanon
3. An exploration of the Alah or 'highland' of Syria
Appendix 1. Anthropological collections from the Holy Land
Appendix 2. Suggestions of readings for the Greek inscriptions not in M. Waddington
Appendix 3. Plants from the Lebanon not in the British Museum Herbarium
Index.

Subject Areas: Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]