ArchaeoHeritage - Recent archaeological discoveries in Syria

National and foreign archeology expeditions working in Aleppo governorate uncovered a number of burial chambers and findings that help shed light on the area's history. 

Historical ruins at Efrin, Syria [Credit: Web]

Director of Aleppo Archaeology and Museums Department Nadim Fakesh said that the Syrian-Japanese joint expedition working in Kahf al-Deridieh site in Efrin area were busy studying the finds uncovered in the site in recent seasons, while the Syrian-Lebanese joint expedition focused on the geophysical study of the site to draw up a map of the area before resuming excavations. 

Meanwhile, the Spanish expedition working in Tel Haloula site continued to uncover findings dating back to the 7th millennium BC, while the Syrian-Polish joint expedition working in Tel al-Kramel north of Aleppo city resumed their work in three sectors. 

In turn, head of the Archaeological Excavations Department Yousef Kanjo said that his department surveyed the Tel Berneh site south of Aleppo city, proving that it dates back to pre-Neolithic times, uncovering several finds including flint, bone and clay shards. 

The department also performed urgent excavations in al-Marba'a village and Sirreen area, documenting several burial chambers dating back to the Classical Ages. 

Kanjo added that a 185 centimeters white chalk stone funerary statue was also found, depicting a woman in a long robe and a headdress sitting on chair. A mosaic was also uncovered in the village of Zamalka north of al-Bab town, depicting a lion facing a bull along with four plant blossoms and two birds. 

He said that an ancient church was uncovered in the village of Tel Bajer south of Aleppo, noting that the church is a Basilica dating back to the 5th or 6th century AD. 

Tell Sha'ir [Credit: Web[

About 3 kilometers from the Turkish border, and 22 km east of Qamishli in Hasaka Province, the Archaeological site of Tell Sha'ir lies showing a long history of civilization that had left innumerable treasures behind. 

Head of Syrian archaeological mission working at the site, Suleiman Elias, said that the archaeological excavations at Tell Sha'ir began in 2006, noting that the study of pottery stone, discovered in the ancient platforms, had proved the succession of several civilizations in the site started in the 6th millennium BC by Hassouna civilization, then Uruk, Ninawa, Mitanni reaching to the Byzantine and Arab Islamic civilizations. 

He noted that among the important discoveries at the site was part of a gigantic building dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. 

Elias added that the excavations have revealed skeletons dating back to different periods from the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC and pieces of pottery from the Byzantine period. 

 SANA


Source: The Archaeology News Network