Researcher Ali Ahmad: Syria is the womb of human civilization, and reviving its history is a duty
Dr. Ali Saqr Ahmad had been fascinated by antiquities, inscriptions and ancient writings, so he chose to dive into the sea of treasures of the Syrian human civilization fifteen years ago. Dr. Ahmad was able to gain an academic scientific standing by the uniqueness of his specialization in Palmyrene Aramaic writings after obtaining a diploma in Semitic languages and then a doctorate in ancient languages, history and archeology from Aleppo University.
Dr. Ahmad stressed that Syria is the womb of civilization, and today we are in dire need of reviving its true history in light of the inscriptions found in the libraries of the Syrian royal palaces, starting with the Kingdom of Ebla, which dates back to the third millennium BC, among the oldest kingdoms in the world, in addition to the Kingdom of Akkad and Mari and others.
The intellectual cultural achievement of Dr. Ahmad is rich and deep, and he has published a number of books, including a book on the history of the ancient Syrian kingdoms and their effects which is a course taught at Al-Baath University, and he recently published “The Languages of the Ancient Arab World, the Ugaritic Language”, which tells about the details of the Ebla civilization and a summary of the grammar of the language.
Dr. Ahmad stresses the Ugaritic language and handwriting as an important element in teaching students about the early stages the history and heritage of Syria and teaching them the ancient languages of Aramaic and Ugarit, which bequeathed the world the principle of the alphabetic script, which moved to Greece and then to Europe, as the English script today is a developed line from the Syrian Phoenician script.
Dr. Ahmad is currently working on preparing a scientific and cultural encyclopedia in an academic manner with the aim of documenting and translating what was discovered in Palmyra writings and antiquities. The first part of this encyclopedia was issued by the Syrian General Book Organization under the title “Palmyra Aramaic Inscriptions – Votive Inscriptions” and the second part is under construction and is entitled “Aramaic inscriptions.” Palmyra-Honorary Inscriptions”.
Dr. Ahmad explains that the encyclopedia will be completed in several parts with regard to the classification of the Palmyra inscriptions due to their greatness, as there is an inscription that is the first beginning in the world for the emergence of the first economic law on earth in what is known today as the inscription of the customs tariff, as he documented it in a precise academic way and is currently in the Armitage Museum in Russia.
Dr. Ahmad also documented all the Palmyrene words from the names of science, vocabulary, verbs, deities and sites with a dictionary titled “The Palmyrene Inscriptions Words,” which is currently under printing by the Al-Basel Institute for Studies at the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.
Dr. Ahmad stresses the importance of media in illuminating the depth of the extension of our civilization as the Syrian culture is one of the greatest cultures in the world, Throughout the dark war against Syria, the heritage was exposed to a dangerous theft that serves the interest of the usurping Zionist entity, including the Ugaritic poems which were found in the house of the high priest in Ugarit. Dr. Ahmad added that Syria is a country of civilization and peace since the dawn of history. The Palmyrene Aramaic inscription in the statue of the Lion of Al-Lat could become a symbol and emblem of peace in the world.
Dr. Ahmad is currently the Scientific Vice Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Al-Baath University. He is a former expert in the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums and was honored by the Ministry of Culture at the Homs Cultural Festival 2019.
NR