First and second volumes of Encyclopedia of Antiquities in Syria issued

Damascus, SANA – The Arab Encyclopedia Agency issued the first and second volumes of the Encyclopedia of Antiquities in Syria, which showcases antiquities and archeological artifacts and sites in Syria.

The two illustrated volumes contain information and pictures of sites like hills, old cities, schools, amphitheatres, bathhouses, marketplaces, catacombs, palaces, castles, mosques, churches, and the objects find in them like statues, sarcophagi, jewelry, ancient texts, decorations, and assorted tools left behind by the successive civilizations that rose and fell in Syria.

The Arabic-language Encyclopedia employs a methodical scientific approach that utilizes photographs and charts and maps of sites, structures, texts, and artifacts, with all subjects arranged in alphabetical order. The first two volumes consist of 656 pages in total, covering subjects starting with the letter ‘A’ with successive volumes to cover the rest of the alphabet.

In addition to sites and artifacts, the Encyclopedia features information about the most important social, political, economic, and religious issues related to archeological finds, such as legends, myths, epics, traditions, customs, and the gods worshipped in various eras.

The volumes also include biographies of the most important Syrian figures that had roles in discovering and documenting archeological finds.

Director-General of the Arab Encyclopedia Agency Mahmoud al-Sayyed said that this Encyclopedia was written by a number of prominent Syrian specialists and researchers, hoping that it will fulfill the needs of scholars and casual readers alike, providing a link between the modern Syrians and their ancestors and past.

In turn, supervisor of the Encyclopedia, head of the Prehistory Department Ammar Abdelrahman said this project covers Syria’s history from prehistory up to the end of the Islamic Era, noting that Syria contains relics made by primitive humans dating back to around a million years, specifically the artifacts found at Set Markho site in Lattakia cou8ntryside, in addition to finding a part of a Homo erectus dating back to around 500,000 years.

Hazem Sabbagh