Global Arab Network | Syrian archaeological site: Large shopping center dating back to the fourth millennium B.C

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Syrian archaeological site: Large shopping center dating back to the fourth millennium B.C

Global Arab Network - - Rabih Serrai

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 14:39

Iraqi Researcher Nael Hanon has chosen four archaeological sites in Syria to pursue the track of the ancient civilization in the Syrian cities B.C. and draw the features of the civilized society of those areas.

In his lecture under the title “Syrian Civilized Centers from the 4th to the 1st millennium B.C.”, Hanon made a presentation on the big city of Habbouba where a large shopping center dating back to the second half of the fourth millennium B.C. was discovered. The center was surrounded by a huge wall of grilled adobe. Clay tablets written by the oldest writing in the history were found in the city.

The Iraqi researcher said that the archaeological excavations in the city showed the existence of other industry of entertainment games like chess, in addition to the pottery production and trade exchange with the other cities along the Euphrates valley.

He believed that the importance of the city of Habbouba is reflected in its contribution to the human civilization because it is the container that conveyed the humanity from one phase to another and laid the foundation for the emergence of the states, in addition to the important of its location in trade.

The Researcher talked about the importance of the city of Mary, during the 3rd and the first half of the second millennium B.C., saying that this period is very important in the development of civilization because knowledge, management and law reached their peak.

Hanon said that the aim of building the city is controlling the trade road which follows the Euphrates passage. The original plan for the city is a full circle penetrated by a branch channel of the Euphrates that ensures water to the city and facilitates the arrival of ships to port.

The researcher moved from Mary to Tel Sheikh Hamad. Tel Sheikh Hamad is a city like an archaeological hill on Khabour River about 68 kilometers from the town of Deir Az-Zour.

Hanon pointed out that the site is consisted of a Castle overseeing the Khabour River and of two cities surrounded by a wall. Group of cuneiform clay tablets containing commercial correspondence and contracts were discovered in the houses located within the wall of the castle.

At the conclusion of his lecture, the Iraqi researcher pointed out that the city of Dora Oropus reflects Syria's spirit, adding that it was characterized by the diversity of worship and religions and the nature of the buildings.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Nael Hanon holds an Master Degree in Archaeology from Baghdad University and a Master of Arts in Cuneiform Writings from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Language and Literature Akkadian. (SANA)

Global Arab Network

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