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| 'Rare' Roman mosaic found in Rastan, Syria | 'Rare' Roman mosaic found in Rastan, Syria |
| (4 months later) | |
| The mosaic is one of the best preserved of its kind | The mosaic is one of the best preserved of its kind |
| A 1,600-year-old virtually intact Roman-era mosaic has been discovered in central Syria. | A 1,600-year-old virtually intact Roman-era mosaic has been discovered in central Syria. |
| The mosaic, measuring 20 x 6m (65.5 x 20ft), was found under a building in Rastan near Homs, which was held by rebels in the civil war until 2018. | The mosaic, measuring 20 x 6m (65.5 x 20ft), was found under a building in Rastan near Homs, which was held by rebels in the civil war until 2018. |
| Showing mythical scenes including the Trojan and Amazon wars, it is said to be the rarest of its kind. | Showing mythical scenes including the Trojan and Amazon wars, it is said to be the rarest of its kind. |
| Many of Syria's archaeological treasures have been damaged after more than a decade of war. | Many of Syria's archaeological treasures have been damaged after more than a decade of war. |
| But the latest find is being described as the most important archaeological discovery since the start of the conflict in 2011. | But the latest find is being described as the most important archaeological discovery since the start of the conflict in 2011. |
| It covers an area of about 120 square metres | It covers an area of about 120 square metres |
| "What is in front of us is a discovery that is rare on a global scale," Hamman Saad, a senior official at Syria's General Directorate of Museums and Antiquities, told the Associated Press. | "What is in front of us is a discovery that is rare on a global scale," Hamman Saad, a senior official at Syria's General Directorate of Museums and Antiquities, told the Associated Press. |
| He added that the mosaic was rich in detail, portraying the Roman sea god Neptune and 40 of his mistresses, as well as Hercules slaying the Amazon queen Hippolyta. | He added that the mosaic was rich in detail, portraying the Roman sea god Neptune and 40 of his mistresses, as well as Hercules slaying the Amazon queen Hippolyta. |
| Rastan was a rebel stronghold and scene of intense fighting until it was captured by Syrian government forces in 2018. | Rastan was a rebel stronghold and scene of intense fighting until it was captured by Syrian government forces in 2018. |
| 'Loot-to-order' antiquities sold on Facebook | 'Loot-to-order' antiquities sold on Facebook |
| Saving Syria's heritage with an invisible solution | Saving Syria's heritage with an invisible solution |
| The riches of Nimrud, capital of the world's 'first' empire | The riches of Nimrud, capital of the world's 'first' empire |
| How Syria's ancient treasures are being smashed | How Syria's ancient treasures are being smashed |
| Syria is considered a treasure trove for archaeologists, being home to some of the best preserved relics of ancient civilisations including the Umayyad mosque in Damascus and the ancient city of Palmyra. | Syria is considered a treasure trove for archaeologists, being home to some of the best preserved relics of ancient civilisations including the Umayyad mosque in Damascus and the ancient city of Palmyra. |
| But much has been destroyed or looted in the civil war. In 2015 the Islamic State group overran Palmyra causing devastation in the city. | But much has been destroyed or looted in the civil war. In 2015 the Islamic State group overran Palmyra causing devastation in the city. |
| The chaos has also fuelled a black market in smaller items such as coins and statuettes. | The chaos has also fuelled a black market in smaller items such as coins and statuettes. |
| Related Topics | |
| Archaeology | |
| Syria |