The most prominent archaeological discoveries in Jableh in 2019

Lattakia, ST- The archaeological excavations in the region of Jableh revealed collective cemeteries  carved in  rocks and funerary monuments and many finds and historical buildings dating  back to different  historical periods that highlight the importance of this region and its historical and cultural role.

Dr. Masoud Badawi, head of the Department of Antiquities of Jableh, told SANA that the excavations last year in the northern side of the village of “Arab al-Malek” south of the city of Jableh, which was known during the second millennium BC as Paltus, resulted in the finding of  mass graves carved in the rock dating back to the Roman era. In addition  pottery sarcophagi and saddles, containing  Greek writings indicating the name of the saddle maker, “Theodorus”, were found. 

Badawi  indicated that in ” Al-Fayd “area, which  was located about 700 meters southwest of the old city of Jableh, five cemeteries  were discovered on the northern rocky shelf of the estuary of the Al-Fayd River.

It revealed also  mass cemeteries  dating back to the Roman era, which was reused during the Byzantine era and is the first Roman graves  used by the Byzantine era in this region. A number of clay saddles dated back to the fifth and sixth centuries AD were also found.
Badawi pointed out that in the garden of the city council of Jableh, the excavations revealed many  tombs dating back to the eighteenth century,  in addition to pottery and stone channels heading  from the eastern side of the ancient city of Jableh. 

In “Ayn Salem” site which is  located near the village of Ayn Sharkia, a church was discovered, most of its parts made of  mosaic and decorated with animal motifs that were  called   “paintings of heaven or peace” because they contain pictures  that gather between  predators and domestic animals, and many other paintings.

M.Wassouf