The implementation of the first phase of the project to restore the famous archaeological arch in Palmyra begins

Palmyra-Sana

In the ancient city of Palmyra, the work of the first phase of the project to restore the famous archaeological arch, which was destroyed by the attacks of the terrorist organization (ISIS) in 2015, has begun, and it is implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Culture - the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, the Syrian Trust for Development and the Archeology Restoration Rescue Center of the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Academy Russian science.

In statements to SANA’s reporter, the assistant director of antiquities and museums, Dr. Hammam Saad, stated that this stage includes documenting all the rubble of the basic stones at the site of the collapsed arch, then moving those stones to a nearby site, distributing them into sectors and numbering them according to a scientific and systematic sequence according to their presence on the old plans, and visions will be prepared and developed. The proposals for the restoration phase of the arch are being studied with an international scientific archaeological team, especially those who worked in the city of Palmyra in the field of excavation and restoration of antiquities, after which the restoration mechanism will be discussed in accordance with international standards followed by UNESCO in the sites registered on the World Heritage List.

Saad revealed other archaeological projects in the city of Palmyra that will be started after the completion of the Arc de Triomphe restoration project, most notably the restoration of the Temple of Baal Shamin, the “Tetrapil” site, the facade of Palmyra’s archaeological theater and the famous Temple of Bel, which was attacked by terrorists.

The Director of Archaeological Buildings at the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, Ahmed Dali, said that the first phase of the project requires a muscular effort, in addition to the use of mechanisms, cranes and special expertise in lifting and transporting stones and the way to deal with this effect through accuracy due to the poor condition of some of the crumbling stones, pointing out that the hand will be used. Working from the local Palmyra community.

Natalia Solovyova, head of the Archeology Restoration Rescue Center of the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences and responsible for the Arc de Triomphe restoration project, said that we are now implementing the first part of the agreement with the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, with the approval of UNESCO, which includes a modern and accurate restoration of the Arc de Triomphe.

She confirmed that the joint working team is working on collecting the wreckage of the arch stones and then distributing them to the blocks through which the arch will be designed after being accurately photographed, relying on specialized archaeological expertise, with the aim of drafting a project to be submitted to the International Scientific Committee, which in turn will take the appropriate decision on how to implement and raise the triumphal arch, which It forms tons of large stones trimmed and decorated to restore it as it was before.

Adnan Khatib

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