The conflict in Syria is destroying some of the oldest relics of human civilization

[dixiegrrrrl]

Modern Syria is built layer-upon-layer over the ruins of these empires. Many—the Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Arabs, Crusaders, and Ottomans—are still widely known, while others are remembered only by historians and archaeologists. The cities they built still stand and are of World Heritage or Tentative World Heritage status.

The Ancient City of Aleppo, for example, is said to have been named by Abraham, father of the Jewish people, when he grazed his flock upon the hill. Dating back at least 7,000 years, it lays claim to be the oldest continuously occupied city in the world.
Damascus, which vies for the title, is where Saul had his Damascene conversion after seeing the light of God and was taken to the House of Ananias in the Christian New Testament, a building that still stands and in which religious services are still held.

Maaoula is one of the last places in the world where Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is still spoken.
The Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus reputedly contains the head of the Prophet John the Baptist, revered by both Christians and Muslims.
It is in Syria that some of the first mosques are found, containing tombs of the Prophet Mohammed’s family and companions, among the holiest places of Islam. Salah El-Din (Saladin), famous in England as the enemy of King Richard the Lionheart, is buried in Damascus. Crusader castles such as the Crac des Chevaliers litter rocky promontories, looking out over valleys which have been farmed for millennia.

Syria is a home of our stories, of our faiths, and of aspects of culture by which we define our civilization.

http://qz.com/121380/the-conflict-in-syria-is-destroying-some-of-the-oldest-relics-of-human-civilization/

[malthaussen]

1. Relics, shmelics. Civilization is being destroyed.

War is the enemy of civilization.

-- Mal

[badtoworse]

2. That is very unfortunate. These things are priceless

I was fortunate enough to visit the ruins at Ur in Iraq in 1979. I was blown away that they date back 5,000 years. Given all that has happened in Iraq since then, I wonder if there is anything left.

[madrchsod]

3. the us army returned ur to the iraqi`s in 09

if i remember correctly the us army protected the site during the war.

[badtoworse]

4. I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for letting me know.