The quantity of paintings and sculpted stucco that was discovered at this Umayyad palatial complex reveals some of the best examples of early Islamic syncretism of pre-Islamic art, particularly in a courtly context. It was built by Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik with large enclosures decorated by semi-circular towers, except for the northwestern corner where a rectangular Byzantine watch-tower stands. The complex is dated to AH 109 / AD 727 by an inscription found in the door lintel of the nearby khan (travellers' lodgings).