| Biq’at Kinnerot |
| Flour Mills along a Jordan River meander |
| Documentation and a preliminary survey, a preliminary program for conservation |
| Orderer | The Kinneret Drainage Authority |
| Duration | April – June 2005 |
| Implemented by: |
Eng. Yardena Etgar
Arch. Lilach Strul
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The Upper ‘Ubeidiya and Lower ‘Ubeidiya flour mills were surveyed; both are tower-like (aruba) mills located in an area slated for tourist development. The architectural and engineering survey was conducted as a basis for an initial conservation proposal and cost estimate.
The flour mills are located at Biq’at Kinnerot, on the banks of the Jordan River. The Upper ‘Ubeidiya mill is also known by the names Pizam Mill and Umm Sujur Mill. The mills were apparently operated with the water from the Jordan River; however, the upper mill may have been powered by water from Nahal Yavniel.
The mill structures were built of indigenous basalt and stone rubble with a lime-based bonding material. The towers were constructed of lighter limestone that is more conducive for stone dressing. An aqueduct conveyed water to the mouth of the tower through which it flowed at a high speed and spun a paddle wheel. The wheel’s axle turned millstones that were situated in an upper covered chamber and which ground the flour.
Physical Preservation. Significant damage is apparent in both of the mills and is manifested by missing stones and bonding material, the collapse of parts of the aqueducts and cracks in the stones. The stones that are missing from the outer face of the building’s walls have resulted in the cores of the walls eroding.
The remains of a building were found in front of the Upper ‘Ubeidiya mill. One of the towers at the Lower ‘Ubeidiya mill collapsed; the structure where the actual milling operation was conducted at the front of the mill did not survive and instead a rusted pump was found there.
Neither the millstones nor the paddle wheels were found at either site and the parts of the buildings that have survived at both sites are in danger of collapsing.
Weathering Factors. The weathering at the site is caused by environmental factors, neglect and the lack of maintenance. Over time damage by the weather and rainfall penetrating the cores of the walls and weakening its structural mass result in cracks forming in the building followed by the disintegration and crumbling of the building material. The use of cement-based materials, vegetation taking root in the buildings, as well as vandalism have all contributed to accelerating the weathering and destruction. In addition the rusted pump is also causing the stones to crack.
Required Measures. In order to preserve the mill sites as a focal point for tourism detailed conservation plans must be drawn up that will include, among other things, the following actions: peeling off the cement-based bonding materials, stabilizing the core, filling the cracks, replacing missing stones, pointing up the joints, trimming and removing excessive vegetation, spraying the area with a herbicide as a preventive measure, installing anchors in the lower mill to prevent its walls from collapsing, rust-proofing and preparing a multi-year maintenance plan.
Reconstruction Proposal. In order to turn the sites into focal points for tourism, we have prepared basic proposals for their reconstruction:
1. A minimal proposal that only includes the most essential treatment to stabilize the ruins in order to display them to the public.
2. A maximal proposal that involves stabilizing the ruins, exhibiting them and illustrating them to the public.
To view the figures, click on the figure caption
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