Hama … Home of a Rich Treasure of Syrian Mosaics

Mosaic paintings tell the history of ancient Hama

Mosaic boards discovered in Hama represent 65% of the total Syrian discoveries. The boards discovered from 1983 till now are the most beautiful of those discovered in Syria, especially the boards discovered in Maryamin, in Tayebet alImam, in Afamia, and the one discovered in Nahr alBared, in addition to many other boards which were deformed before being excavated as is the case in the village of Deir alSleib near Masiaf.

In 1983, in the quarter of alMdineh near the citadel of Hama, a 2000sm cathedral was discovered, and on its ground floor there was a large mosaic board of geometrical designs and animals which belong to the year 415AD. The Byzantine cathedral, as well as the board, were registered in the heritage of Syria, because the board is one of the most beautiful in the world. It represents a natural view in the center of which there is a river with a sail boat in the center with a cross on its mast. The second level is 60cm above the first one, which belongs to the Islamic period and includes several rooms connected with each other by white and black stones, where Islamic coins were discovered.

A- Maryanin’s board:

Once you enter Hama Museum, you will see the mosaic of Maryamin, a village south west of Hama. The board was discovered several years ago, and the archaeology department moved it to the museum where it was restored. It represents a festivity in which young women play music and dance. In the right side of the board there is girl dancing, another one playing the violin and a third holding two sticks with which she per cusses two copper vessels.

One of the girls is playing a double flute. The board is 4X3 m and belongs to the third century AD, i.e. to the Roman period.

B- Board of Tayebet alImam:

The village is 15km north of Hama where a 600 sm mosaic board was discovered. It belongs to the year 442AD, i.e. to the Byzantine era and was built as a ground floor for the “Church of Martyr Saints” It is made of geometrical designs, and pictures of animals, buildings and churches, including the churches of Beit Lehem and Jersualem, with Greek writings naming the person who donated the mosaic to the church in 442AD.

Haifaa Mafalani