in the late ottoman era, in 1875, victor guérin visited suhmata, and noted that "the village [is] divided into two distinct quarters, occupies two hills near each other, between which is a great birket, partly cut in the rock and partly built. one of these hills is crowned by the remains of a fortress flanked by towers and built with simple rubble; it contained several subterranean magazines, a mosque, and various chambers. the foundation is attributed to dhaher el amer. it is now three parts demolished, and on the place where it stood grow vines and tobacco."