327:), an assemblage of usually multi-storey barrel-shaped storage buildings enclosing a rectangular courtyard, with the doors opening inwards so that the outside walls form a defence. These were used by the semi-nomadic Berbers to store their possessions together with grain, oil and animal feed. Generally a single watchman and his family, together with the aged and children, remained there while the remainder of the tribe moved around. In Jebel Dahar, they were often built on steep crags for additional defence; those on the plain are believed to have been constructed in relatively peaceful periods.
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them. The majority, especially younger people, have moved into the new blocks of flats in urban areas, which are sometimes unpleasantly cold in winter and require air conditioning in summer, but offer electric stoves, washing machines, and other modern comforts. The ancient settlement of
Matmata is thus increasingly being deserted in favour of Nouvelle (New) Matmata, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) away. In addition to Matmata, some cave dwellers remain in Beni AĂŻssa und Beni MĂ©tir, approximately 10 to 20 kilometres (6.2 to 12.4 mi) away.
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the walls. Sometimes further rooms are created which are reached by means of a rope and steps cut in the wall; these are used for storage and traditionally for the first week after a couple's marriage. A tunnel is dug from the inside to form an exit, with a slight downwards incline so that any rain water can run out of the dwelling. These exit tunnels are usually winding and have niches for stabling animals. The exit door is usually decorated with traditional symbols such as the
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The remaining cave dwellers have responded to increasing numbers of tourists by charging visitors to tour and take photographs of their homes, with what has been called "latent aggressiveness that is only too understandable in view of the hordes of tourists who invade their living spaces and privacy
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The cave dwellings are well adapted to the climate, remaining cool in summer and retaining warmth in winter, and it is disputed how far they should be regarded as defensive as opposed to purely practical. Some have been equipped with electricity and running water. Nonetheless, few families remain in
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For a dugout dwelling, a shaft 5–9 metres (16–30 ft) deep and up to 12 metres (39 ft) in diameter is sunk, from the bottom of which horizontal tunnels radiate to serve as rooms; the openings to these are uncovered or covered only by a carpet. Shelves, racks, benches and beds are cut out of
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The local climate is extremely arid with frequent wind. The temperature often falls below 0 °C (32 °F) at night during the winter, and rises as high as 45 °C (113 °F) during the day in summer. There are approximately 15–20 days of precipitation a year, primarily in winter
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and uses earth and rock dykes to define the terraces and hold water, with spillways to divert excess to a terrace below. Olive and fruit trees and vegetables are cultivated. A number of jessour fields can be seen around
Matmata.
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sometimes being used in walls or terrace dykes, and the harder rock left in place to form ceilings and floors. Often several such tunnels are stacked one above the other, topped by a structure used for storage and defence.
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in The Dahar Region (at least 2 other subterranean mosques are on Djerba Island, one restored and functioning, all open to visits from non-Muslims); impressive storage buildings at
Guermessa und
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The more common and widespread type of cave dwelling is constructed by boring a tunnel into the side of the mountain; softer stone is excavated to form rooms, with the
430:
Oweis, T.; Hachum, A. (2009). "Water
Harvesting for Improved Rainfed Agriculture in the Dry Environments". In Wani, Suhas P.; Rockström, Johan; Oweis, Theib (eds.).
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Inzwischen spĂĽrt man latente
Aggressivität, die angesichts der respektlos in die Wohn- und Privatsphäre eindringenden Touristenhorden nur zu verständlich ist
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Tourists are also increasingly drawn to the stark landscape for the effects of the light, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Many make daytrips from
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The largest number of ksour and the best examples are found around
Tataouine, where there is a "route of the ksour" comparable to the "route of the
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Gabriels, Donald; Cornelis, Wim M.; Schiettecatte, Wouter (2009). "Water
Harvesting and Water-Saving Techniques". In Verheye, Willy H. (ed.).
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The chain is oriented on a north-south axis, bisecting the south of
Tunisia. At the northern end, it meets the east-west-oriented
436:. Comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture series. Vol. 7. Wallingford, Oxfordshire: CABI. p. 166.
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or a fish, and is often concealed between rocks and bushes. There is sometimes a nomads' tent and a shelter for animals nearby.
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249:, who farm the mountain slopes on terraced fields to retain runoff water from the rare rainfall. This is called the
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494:. HB-Bildatlas / Special (in German). Vol. 71. Ostfildern: Mairs Geographischer Verlag. p. 76.
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Jebel Dahar has also become internationally known as a site of filming in 1977 for
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The mountains have served as a refuge for the
Berbers of the plains following the
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and in the form of localised showers. There is little vegetation, consisting of
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Jebel Dahar is known for its cave dwellings. These are excavated in two forms:
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As in all of south
Tunisia, an alternative traditional building type is the
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plain to the east. It runs for over 100 kilometres (62 mi) south from
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Low sandstone mountain chain of the MĂ©denine Governorate of Tunisia
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Jebel Dahar has been inhabited for thousands of years by various
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invasions of the 11th century. They built fortified villages (
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Hole, Abigail; Grosberg, Michael; Robinson, Daniel (2007).
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Encyclopedia of Land Use, Land Cover and Soil Sciences
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The peaks of Jebel Dahar are lower than those of the
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389:. Local people were employed as cheap
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281:and tunnels into the mountainside.
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383:(near Matmata) and in 2000 for
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419:. Vol. 5. Oxford: EOLSS.
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526:Mountain ranges of Tunisia
241:Settlement and agriculture
70:689 m (2,260 ft)
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212:chains. The tallest is
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228:Climate and vegetation
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98:33.39167°N 10.13333°E
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131:MĂ©denine Governorate
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363:without respect".
357:Ksar Ouled Soltane
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309:Ksar Ouled Soltane
187:Grand Erg Oriental
103:33.39167; 10.13333
60:Highest point
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76:Coordinates
47:Jebel Dahar
22:Jebel Dahar
520:Categories
397:References
89:10°08′00″E
86:33°23′30″N
380:Star Wars
191:Tataouine
165:Geography
151:sandstone
114:Geography
66:Elevation
323:(plural
294:tailings
263:Hilalian
461:Tunisia
345:Douiret
341:Chenini
337:kasbahs
331:Tourism
279:dugouts
235:lucerne
222:ravines
206:Dorsale
183:Matmata
179:Jeffara
159:Tunisia
122:Tunisia
119:Country
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372:Zarzis
368:Djerba
355:; and
349:mosque
175:Sahara
173:. The
143:French
127:Region
325:ksour
267:ksars
255:jessr
218:mesas
210:Atlas
195:Libya
189:near
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