How did the cadres of the Idlib Department of Antiquities preserve the antiquities of the Museum of Maarat al-Numan and protect them from terrorism?

Idlib-Sana

With the liberation of the Syrian Arab Army for the city of Maarat al-Numan after the terrorist takeover of it for several years, cadres of the Idlib Archeology Department were obsessed with arriving at the famous Medina Museum to check on the status of the archaeological holdings that they had hidden in a secret location inside the museum.

The director of antiquities, Idlib, Ghazi Aloulou, said in a statement to SANA that the cadres of the department and before the terrorists entered the city succeeded in collecting the artifacts displayed in the museum's coffers, transporting them to a secret location in the cellar inside it, placing them in safes and shelves, and hiding them in a tight manner to protect them from looting and theft by the terrorists. .

Alloulou pointed out that when he arrived yesterday at the museum after the defeat of terrorism from the city, he went directly to the place where the artifacts were hidden, pointing to the feelings of joy that overwhelmed him when he found that the artifacts remained the same and the terrorists did not notice the location of their concealment, explaining that they are in good condition.

And Aloulou indicated that the artifacts include pottery pieces from various historical eras, as a result of excavations carried out by the Department of Antiquities in Ma'ara during a period extending over twenty years and a group of artifacts on display as well and from previous collections in the museum, which are in their basic state in addition to exhibits of popular traditions from pieces Bronze and copper and it is in a healthy condition.

The large affiliation that the Syrians show in more than one location and place is repeated, whether they are cadres in the Idlib antiquities directorate or in a concrete cement factory or in Daraa, Aleppo, Deir Al-Zour, Homs and many other facilities that their workers have kept machines and hidden in their homes or in secret places until they are defeated Terrorism and the return of state institutions.

Dr. Mahmoud Hammoud, the director general of antiquities and museums, explained in a statement to SANA that a team from the General Directorate visited the Ma'ara Museum as soon as it was liberated from terrorism to see the damages it had caused and start the restoration operations directly.

Hammoud praised the efforts of the staff of the Department of Antiquities of Ma`ra and the people of the region, who helped protect artifacts and the museum from theft, looting, and vandalism, and to protect their heritage and civilization.

Hammoud pointed out that the team unveiled the mosaic pieces included in the museum in good condition, and the intention of the directorate to intervene quickly to restore the museum for fear of collapses in some of its aspects, noting also that the statue of Abu Al-Ala 'Al-Maari, which was destroyed by the terrorists, was collected by the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums team In order to restore and restore it as it was.

Today, after the liberation of Maarat al-Numan and its museum from vengeful terrorism, the artifacts are back in readiness after life is restored in the city.

Mays al-Ani