Palmyra-Sana
The governorate of Homs, Palmyra City Council and the Directorate of Antiquities there today, with the participation of the local community, started a voluntary project to remove and rehabilitate the historical stream of the Horizon Spring and remove the dirt and stones from the entrance to and inside the tunnel that were left by the terrorists.
The project aims to restore the flow of the spring water that flowed last April after a drought that lasted about 25 years and to restore life to this archaeological and tourist facility, which caused the existence of the city of Palmyra and the gathering of mankind in this area for more than six thousand years.
A member of the Executive Office for the Water and Irrigation Sector in Homs Governorate, Kamal Al-Hallaq, stated in a statement to SANA's correspondent that this project, which is carried out at the initiative of the people of the region, through manual work to avoid damaging this archaeological site during the work of isolating and cleaning the cave stairs and course, is an important gesture that contributes to the revival of The water of the spring and its continued flow towards the Basateen Oasis, Palmyra Al-Atti, pointing out that a technical schedule has been set for this important project until the return of the spring of Afqa as it was previously.
Paul Kassis, head of the Environmental Development Foundation participating in the project, explained in a similar statement that preserving the archaeological horizon spring, whose water temperature is estimated at 33 degrees Celsius constant in summer and winter, contributes to the return of life to the palm and olive oasis and preserves the environment in the region, stressing the importance of civil society participation in Saving the spring from drying again and re-flowing it naturally.
For his part, the curator of the National Museum of Palmyra, an archaeologist Khalil al-Hariri, stated that the Afqa spring was the cause of the prosperity of the city of Palmyra through the ages and the continuity of life in this desert region for more than six thousand years, as its waters flowed in a cave about 400 meters long inside the hollow of Jabal al-Muntar, pointing out that The water of this spring, which preserved its archaeological cave, was sacred to the ancient Palmyrians, who used to offer vows and offerings to the spring god “Yarhbul” who gave the permanent blessing of this water and the hope of its continuity.
For his part, Nidal Ali, one of the volunteers to clean the stream of the spring, indicated that the people of the city were happy when they watched the spring water flow, especially after removing part of the piles of dust that obstruct the flow of water inside the stream, explaining that this work helps the people and farmers return to their farms that the terrorists sought to Sabotaging it. The water of this spring is considered a tourist destination for visitors, as it is a means of healing from many diseases, especially skin, intestinal and articular diseases.
Adnan Al-Khatib