Syria showcases hundreds of cultural relics salvaged during conflict
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — An exhibition in Damascus is displaying artifacts which have been preserved through the Syrian conflict in a bid to preserve and showcase Levantine history.
"At least 9,000 archaeological artifacts have been recaptured. We brought 500 of them to this exhibition as examples," Mahmoud Hamoud, antiquities chief, told AFP on Wednesday.
At the opera house in Damascus, 500 artifacts including coins, statues and Roman and Greek Neothlic-era pottery were on display.
"These artifacts date back to various historical periods, some date back to the 10th century BCE, from the Neolithic to the Islamic times," added Hamoud.
He explained the Syrian Arab Army and their allies discovered many of the relics as they fought opposition groups.
The more than 9,000 artifacts come from across the country — from eastern Deir ez-Zor to southern Daraa governorate to the world heritage site at Palmyra in Homs.
Some on show had been restored in Italy. Others not on display had been in Lebanon. Turkey and Jordan are also believed to be holding artifacts and relics.
"Tens of thousands of archaeological pieces that were smuggled out of the country have not returned," Hamoud said.
Through the Syrian conflict warring parties were alleged to have destroyed or bombed cultural heritage sites and there were widespread reports of looting.
The conflict began in 2011. It was compounded by the rise of ISIS in 2014. Estimates vary, but the eight nearly eight years of fighting has claimed between 350,000-400,000 Syrian lives.
"At least 9,000 archaeological artifacts have been recaptured. We brought 500 of them to this exhibition as examples," Mahmoud Hamoud, antiquities chief, told AFP on Wednesday.
At the opera house in Damascus, 500 artifacts including coins, statues and Roman and Greek Neothlic-era pottery were on display.
"These artifacts date back to various historical periods, some date back to the 10th century BCE, from the Neolithic to the Islamic times," added Hamoud.
He explained the Syrian Arab Army and their allies discovered many of the relics as they fought opposition groups.
The more than 9,000 artifacts come from across the country — from eastern Deir ez-Zor to southern Daraa governorate to the world heritage site at Palmyra in Homs.
Some on show had been restored in Italy. Others not on display had been in Lebanon. Turkey and Jordan are also believed to be holding artifacts and relics.
"Tens of thousands of archaeological pieces that were smuggled out of the country have not returned," Hamoud said.
Through the Syrian conflict warring parties were alleged to have destroyed or bombed cultural heritage sites and there were widespread reports of looting.
The conflict began in 2011. It was compounded by the rise of ISIS in 2014. Estimates vary, but the eight nearly eight years of fighting has claimed between 350,000-400,000 Syrian lives.