A Syrian-Russian team clears the debris creted by terrorism from the historic Afqa spring in Palmyra

Palmyra (ST): A Syrian-Russian team has begun to rehabilitate the historic Afqa spring in the ancient city of Palmyra, which was vandalized as a result of the attacks of the terrorist organization “ISIS”, under the supervision of the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.

 The project is co-financed by the Russian Association for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage “Voluntary Expeditionary Corps”, in addition to a number of archaeologists from the Heritage Institute in Moscow, the Kabardino-Balkaria Scientific Center of the Academy of Sciences and the Russian company OKN Project.

The project is implemented based on the agreement signed with the Russian side to restore and rehabilitate several historical sites and landmarks that were destroyed by terrorists in the ancient city of Palmyra, including the Afqa spring, which is a water spring and an archaeological cave carved in the rock.

Homs Archaeological Director of Antiquities and Museums, Hussam Hamish, said in a statement that the goal of the project is to clean the stream of Afqa spring from stones and rubble, and to restore its archaeological cave and return it as it was before, especially since this spring has exceptional importance as it is the reason for life in the city and the secret of its existence for nearly six thousand years.

Hamish explained that the restoration work of the spring, which was damaged in its structure, includes removing its stream of rubble from the embankment and ensuring the return of water flow as it was before towards the oasis of Palmyra’s historic orchards, which is part of the ancient city, in addition to working on the structural side of this cave and rebuilding and rehabilitating the archaeological arches, altars and stairs leading to the entrance to this archaeological and tourist cave.

For his part, Russian archaeological expert Timur Karmov, director of the campaign, confirmed in a similar statement that this important archaeological project, whose implementation period is about three months, contributes to restoring life to this spring, which in turn helps restore farmers to their farms in Palmyra oasis and their stability in the region.

K.Q.