Idleb Directorate of Antiquities Protects the Museum of Maaret Al-Numan from Looting and Vandalism by Terrorists

With  the  liberation of  Maarat al-Numan city in Idleb province by the Syrian Arab Army  after  the terrorists took over  for several years,it was found out that the  staff  of  Idlib Directorate  of Antiquities was  able to preserve and protect   the status of  archaeological  antiquities of the museum  as they had  hidden them  in a secret place  inside the museum.

 “Before the terrorists entered the city, the cadres  managed to collect  the artifacts displayed in the museum’s coffers and  transport them to a secret place  in the cellar inside it  to protect them from looting  by the terrorists”.  Director of Idleb Antiquities, Ghazi Aloulou, said in a statement to SANA.

Aloulou indicated that the artifacts saved include pottery pieces from various historical eras discovered during the   excavations carried out by the  Antiquities Directorate  in Maarat  al-Numan city  over twenty years ago, a set   of artifacts on display as well as other   collections previously displayed  in the museum  in addition to exhibits of  traditional  folk  made of   Bronze and copper parts.

The feeling of pride was clearly expressed by the Syrians all over the Syrian provinces including Idleb,  Daraa, Aleppo, Deir Al-Zour, Homs and  in many other facilities where workers were able to keep the machines and hide them in their homes or in secret places to protect them from theft and looting by terrorists.

Director General of Antiquities and Museums Dr. Mmahmoud Hammoud , explained in a statement to SANA that a team from the General Directorate visited the Maarat  al-Numan Museum as soon as it was liberated from terrorism to view  damages  and start the restoration operations directly.

Hammoud praised the efforts exerted by the staff   of Antiquities Department of Maarat al-Numan and the people of the region, who helped protect artifacts and the museum from theft, looting and vandalism and to protect their heritage and civilization.

Hammoud pointed out that the team stressed that the mosaic pieces in the museum are in good condition and the directorate intends to intervene quickly to restore and maintain the museum for fear of collapse in some of its parts.

He noted  that the statue of Abu Al-Ala ‘Al-Maari, which was destroyed by the terrorists, was collected by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums team in order to restore and return  it as it was.

 After the liberation of Maarat al-Numan and its museum from vengeful terrorism the artifacts are back on display.

Rawaa ghanam