Global Arab Network | Archaeologists: Handicrafts in the Euphrates Region is The Basis of Many Modern Industries

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Archaeologists: Handicrafts in the Euphrates Region is The Basis of Many Modern Industries

Global Arab Network - - John Short

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 14:48

Handicrafts_in_the_Middle_Euphrates_Region

Handicrafts appeared in the Middle Euphrates region (Deir Ezzor, Northeast Syria) in the ninth millennium B.C. after the emergence of agriculture, which opened new prospects before the inhabitants of the region, says archaeologists.

When people in the region discovered how to produce and store food, stone industries appeared, said Director of Deir Ezzor Department of Antiquities Yaser Shouhan.

Archaeological expeditions unearthed many stone tools made of marble and obsidian stones imported from turkey, he added.

They also discovered many potteries at different sites, indicating that potters used the technique of controlling the temperature of ovens to make several colors of clay with layers of different thickness. Copper oxide was also used in making glazed pottery.

Trade exchange played an important role in the prosperity of the region and its cultural role through communicating with other cultures leading to the development of handicrafts and their techniques in the fifth millennium B.C. Some of the important industries in the region at that age were looms, furniture, carts and other wood industries.

In the 3rd Millennium B.C, economic and trade ties developed and the region started to import iron, copper, gold and other metals from Turkey, Arabian Gulf and Cyprus; therefore, mining became a vital project in the region.

Bronze was also used in industry on a wider scale than iron in making nails, utensils and wheels where the oldest wheel was discovered in Kingdom of Mari and iron was considered a very precious metal at that age.

Coins and utensils were also made of copper while bondwomen were specialized in textile and food industries, and the archeological documents indicated that there were 21 types of linen clothes made of flax plant fibers.

Food industries were made of different kinds of high-quality and ordinary flour, wheat and vegetables, and wine industry prospered at that age .There were nine types of beer and several types of wine produced in Kingdom of Mari and ice stores were made for preserving wine.

Different types of medical oil, fragrance and jewelry industries reflected the social progress at that age in Kingdom of Mari . (SANA)

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