The joint Syrian-Italian archaeological mission at Tel Al-Samhana in Lattakia completes it work

Latakia, (ST) – The General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums announced yerterday the completion of the work of the joint Syrian-Italian archaeological mission for the first season at the Tel Samhana site in Latakia Governorate.

The Directorate stated that Tel Samhana, which is registered with the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums as an archaeological block, is considered as one of the important sites on the Syrian coast, as work began in this site nearly ten years ago. It clarified that previous work included conducting some archaeological investigations that demonstrated the importance of settlement on the hill since the Middle Bronze Age.

The mission’s work for this season consisted of preparing a topographical plan and conducting surveys around the hill with the aim of knowing its boundaries. Previous probes were also cleaned and documented and new probes were carried out with the aim of clarifying the stratigraphic sequence and historical periods that occurred on the hill.

The results of the preliminary work and studies showed a clear diversity and revealed the presence of human settlement linked to several service annexes that testify to the agricultural exploitation of the adjacent plain near the Al-Kabir Al-Shamali River. This settlement dates back to the period of the second millennium BC (intermediate and modern bronze), in addition to other important sites on the surface of the hill. The first levels date back to the Byzantine era.

A national team participated in the work alongside the Italian team, in addition to some students from the Department of Archeology from the University of Damascus, which contributes to exchanging experiences and training students on modern techniques in excavation, documentation and rehabilitation work.

Raghda Sawas