Syrian-Italian archaeological mission completes documenting damages caused by February earthquake to Amrit site
TARTOUS, Jun.13, (ST)- Today, the joint Syrian-Italian archaeological mission completed its work for the first season at the Amrit site in Tartous Governorate, which focused on documenting and evaluating the damages caused by the devastating earthquake that hit Syria recently and affected the architectural remains at the site, especially the ground burial of Abu Afsa , which was discovered in 2003.
The director of excavations and archaeological studies, who heads the Syrian side of the mission,Hammam Saad, told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that both sides are working according to a joint plan for rehabilitating the site in the future and preparing studies for tourist routes.
Saad clarified that the damages caused to the Amrit site as a result of the earthquake were a collapse in the ceiling of the inner tomb, which fell on the coffins inside it and the side walls, and some cracks in the spindles.
He indicated that the percentage of damage in the site is light, in comparison to the damage caused to some Syrian archaeological sites, especially the coastal ones: Al-Marqab and Salah al-Din Citadel and the Citadel of Aleppo.
“As a result of the collapses in the cemetery, there is a need for carrying out consolidation work, raising scaffolding, removing the rubbles, and developing a complete documentation plan for the cemetery, in preparation for the restoration work and completion of the documentation work, which will be during the second season of the mission in next October,” Saad added.
He indicated that the mission is composed of 9 people, including 5 researchers headed by Marina Bucci from the Italian side, pointing out that the mission began its work for the first season on the 6th of June.
Basma Qaddour