ABSTRACT
The research project launched by the Syro-Hungarian Archaeological Mission (SHAM) in 2007 at al-Marqab has as one of its most important aims the exploration and identification of the functions of the individual buildings on the site. Special attention has been given to finding the most probable location of the chapter house, a basic element of every major Hospitaller castle. Earlier proposals placed the chapter house in the cross-vaulted room on the first floor of annexe J adjoining the southern side of the inner gate tower complex of the citadel. 1 This hall is labelled J2 on the standard plan of the castle. Written sources for the history of crusade-period al-Marqab, not to mention specific buildings, are scarce. However, at least one important event had to take place in the chapter hall: the famous Chapter General held sometime between 1204 and 1206. 2 This important meeting, attended by dozens of Hospitaller officials from all over the Holy Land and Europe, necessitated the existence of a large hall, and the room immediately beside the gate tower would have been far too small.
