(22 Jun 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rastan - 22 June 2023
1. People standing at archaeological site with Roman mosaic
2. Various of Roman ruin and site
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Humam Saad, Associate Director of Excavation and Archaeological Research at Syria’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums:
"It is a rare mosaic for a number of reasons. Firstly, we previously discovered two scenes. The two scenes are as follows: one was central and one was a side scene. The side scene shows Poseidon and now we discovered another side scene and in the middle of the first central scene it showed the war of the Amazons. The side scene is a centaurs war. This war is mentioned in Homer's Iliad, but without additional details in Homer's Iliad. But with Ovid, we have more details now and names, it is rare in terms of the artistic scenes in it, sketching and colours. It is also rare in terms of the characters that are present in the story told through this mosaic."
4. Various of archaeological site
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Humam Saad, Associate Director of Excavation and Archaeological Research at Syria’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums:
"There are some parts of it that have unfortunately been damaged but the scenes are generally well preserved. There are some names that are missing but there are some letters that are still there that make it possible to find out what these names are and complete them (the missing letters). But as a whole, the mosaic is not in a good state."
6. Various of man cleaning mosaic
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Humam Saad, Associate Director of Excavation and Archaeological Research at Syria’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums:
"Everyone knows that the war in Syria was very unfair. Unfortunately, many missions have stopped their work in Syria and don't forget the unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria, the economic sanctions, cultural sanctions and sanctions that have impacted all aspects of life. So it has made it difficult for us to find reconstruction materials and it has also made it hard for us to get funding. Before, there were projects for these kinds of excavations and discoveries."
8. Various of mosaic, people at site
STORYLINE:
Syria uncovered more parts of an intact mosaic dating back to the Roman era, expanding on what it has described as the most important archaeological discovery since the country’s conflict began 11-years-ago.
Journalists were shown the mosaic in the central town of Rastan near Homs, Syria’s third largest city.
The mosaic was found in an old building last year by Syria’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.
But additional scenes and names have been discovered.
More houses next door were bought so the excavation can continue.
Underneath the wall, parts of a new side mosaic were discovered, giving archaeologists a more comprehensive view of their discovery from last year.
Each panel was filled with square-shaped, small colorful stones measuring about half an inch on each side.
Dr. Humam Saad, the Associate Director of Excavation and Archaeological Research at the Directorate, said among the scenes the mosaic shows is a rare portrayal of Ancient Amazon warriors in Roman mythology.
The discovery has suffered damage but it still gives a better picture to the story told, said Saad.
"There are some parts that have been damaged but the scenes are well preserved. There are some names that are missing but there are some letters that are still there," he added.
AP video shot by Abdulrahman Shaheen
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