Why did they leave ?

With Cousin Casey at a deserted village
 
 

Pyramid Tomb of Al Bara
 

Druze villagers at Qalbe Lhrse
 

St Simeon, an ancient pilgrimage church where St Simeon spent thirty-six years preaching on a pillar.

Or rather, its remains.  Most of it had been taken by pilgrims as souvenirs long ago.