Global Arab Network | Damascus Countryside - Thousand of archaeological sites carved in rock

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Damascus Countryside - Thousand of archaeological sites carved in rock

- George Haddad

Saturday, 26 December 2009 23:15

Qalamoun towering Mountains embrace many cities and towns where man has built the most ancient civilizations in the natural caves at the mountains and the valleys surrounding the cities.

When you visit the area, you can see the archaeological hills, churches, temples, khans, mosques and bathhouses.

Tens of years ago, excavation expeditions started to work at Damascus Countryside area to unearth its treasures.

In Minen Town , 16 kms to the north of Damascus, several halls carved in rock were discovered dating back to the Roman age, the halls include three temples of a religious gathering, said Director of Damascus Countryside Antiquities Department Mahmud Hammoud.

Some of the most important archaeological findings in the area are a stone statue of the Goddess Aphrodite and another sculptor of the God Eel sitting on a throne along with Persian sculptures, clay dolls, jewelleries and coins dating back to different historical eras.

In Jdadit Yabus Village on the Syrian-Lebanese borders, excavations unearthed an integrated Roman city with houses, tombs and religious buildings.

Excavations also unearthed the ruins of a palace built between the end of the Byzantine era and the beginning of the Umayyad Caliphate along with the ruins of a church and archaeological bathhouse at the town of al-Dumair, 45 Kms to the north of Damascus.

An archaeological survey conducted by the Syrian-German archaeological expedition working in Malula and Sednaya mountains has discovered thousand archaeological sites dating back to different historical phases.

The archaeological Expedition that has been working in Hina town unearthed a very huge cemetery dating back to the Roman and Byzantine areas including a temple and many tombs along with clay pieces that constitute a very precious treasure.

Three religious buildings including the head of small sculpture and a number of arrowheads and bronze coins were discovered in Bloudan area.

Several buildings were unearthed at Tal Saka site dating back to the second millennium AD and a clay tablet representing a letter from the ruler of the site to the king of Mary Kingdom.

The Syrian-French archaeological expedition unearthed many buildings and constructions at the site of Tolol al-Far dating back to the third millennium B.C.

Excavations in Zakia village in the area of al-Kiswa unearthed several circular tombs that are very important because they date back to the fourth millennium B.C.

Damascus Countryside Antiquities Department is studying the organizational design of the villages and the projects of regional planning in the Province.

The Department has also finished a study on building a museum in Minen town. (SANA)

Global Arab Network

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