Glimpse of History

Syria is one of the richest countries in civilizations, ruins and antiquities, from its Badia  the first man started his trip into the spacious earth. On its land history generated a diverse cultural heritage, and in its soil the first grain was planted. Copper was first discovered on the banks of the Khabour river; where the first bronze alloy was made, iron was tempered to get steel, and pottery was used for cooking for the first time. People of Qarmasha in Hama were the first human dynasties ever discovered even before the Neanderthal man. In Tel-al Baharia the first attempts of writing took place, and the first alphabet was designed by the Canaanites in Ugarit “Ras Shamra”.

The first musical scale and the first musical note were registered during the days of Gilgamesh. From Syria Elissar rode the sea to Tunisia where Carthage was built in 814 BC, and from Carthage Arab Canaanites and Carthaginians spread along the Mediterranean, establishing new civilizations’ kingdoms and centers.

Syria gave Rome, whether by birth or blood kinship, several emperors, e.g. Phillip the Arab; and many philosophers and dignitaries have left clear fingerprints on the Roman civilization. The Straight Street in Damascus represented the first three lanes traffic system in the world-when only two lanes were prevailing- two side lanes were used by pedestrians, while the third one was used by carriages and horsemen.

Byzantine architecture of the Holy Trinity Church in Qalb Lozeh in Idleb inspired a large number of clerical architects, both Occidental  and Oriental, as their churches designing model. Bimaristan al-Nuri, located southwest of Damascus Umayyad Mosque, reveals Seljuk architectural designs was built in 1154.

The bimaristan has two primary functions: first as a hospital providing treatment to patients and second as a medical school. Damascene scientists excelled in astrology, geometry, mathematics medicine, philosophy and in manufacturing chronometers, sextets and clocks.

Therefore, Syria for its geographical location between the Mediterranean and the Tigris, and because of the Silk Road passage on its land; have witnessed  diverse cultures and civilizations since the 10th  century BC,  occupying an advanced position in human history as a challenging and stead fasting castle against many threats, which added originality and charm to its natural beauty.

H. Mafalani