Syria’s Ancient City of Palmyra Still Remains Intact

Jewish presence at Palmyra is exhibited by the opening verses of the Shema carved into a stone doorway, to-date, the longest carved Hebrew inscription found from antiquity.

By REUTERS

 

BEIRUT – The Syrian government’s antiquities chief said on Tuesday the historical city of Palmyra had been unharmed since the Islamic State group seized it from state control last week.

The Shema inscription found in a doorway in Palmyra, photogrphed in 1884 . – S. Landauer

Maamoun Abdulkarim said was still afraid the jihadist group would blow up ancient ruins at Palmyra including tombs and the Temple of Bel, which would be viewed as idolatrous in its puritanical vision of Islam.

“The historic city is fine. There is no damage so far,” Abdulkarim told Reuters by phone, citing contacts with people on the ground. Palmyra, also known as Tadmur, is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Northeast of Damascus, sits the ancient Roman city of Palmyra – Syria’s official news agency SANA, May 17, 2015. via AP

 

View original The Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Ancient-Palmyra-ruins-remain-unharmed-for-now-404126