Palmyra (ST): In the ancient city of Palmyra, the work of the first phase of the project to restore the famous archaeological arch, which was destroyed by the attacks of the terrorist organization (ISIS) in 2015, has begun, and it is implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Culture – the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, the Syrian Trust for Development and the Archeology Restoration Rescue Center of the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Academy Russian science.
In statements to news reporter, the assistant director of antiquities and museums, Dr. Hammam Saad, stated that this stage includes documenting all the rubble of the basic stones at the site of the collapsed arch, then moving those stones to a nearby site, distributing them into sectors and numbering them according to a scientific and systematic sequence according to their presence on the old plans, and visions will be prepared and developed. The proposals for the restoration phase of the arch are being studied with an international scientific archaeological team, especially those who worked in the city of Palmyra in the field of excavation and restoration of antiquities, after which the restoration mechanism will be discussed in accordance with international standards followed by UNESCO in the sites registered on the World Heritage List.
Saad revealed other archaeological projects in the city of Palmyra that will be started after the completion of the Triumph Arch restoration project, most notably the restoration of the Temple of Baal Shamin, the “Tetrapil” site, the facade of Palmyra’s archaeological theater and the famous Temple of Bel, which was attacked by terrorists.
K.Q.