Archaeology
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Archaeological site in the West BankDispute about the site of biblical Samaria intensifies
In the Palestinian village of Sebastia in the West Bank, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers are becoming more frequent. A long-simmering conflict over archaeological treasures in the village threatens to escalate. Details from Joseph Croitoru
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Climate change and Middle East monumentsThe most endangered on Earth
Thanks to climate change, the Middle East is heating up faster than any other part of the world, putting the region's ancient pyramids, castles, holy and other heritage sites at even greater risk. Cathrin Schaer reports
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Ramses II-era burial site uncovered in Israel
"Like on the set of an Indiana Jones movie", said archaeologist Eli Jannai when he entered the burial chamber from the time of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II. Found by accident at a popular beach at the Palmahim National Park, it joins the list of recent archaeological finds in the region. By Brenda Haas
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Archaeological mysteryAncient Elamite script from Iran deciphered?
For a long time, the writing system known as "Linear Elamite" was considered illegible. Now a team of archaeologists claims to have partially deciphered the writing system. But other researchers are more hesitant. Katrin Ewert has the details
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Archaeology in IraqDrought reveals Bronze Age city
Extreme drought in Iraq has given German and Kurdish archaeologists the unique chance to examine an ancient Bronze Age city that was hidden beneath the water of a reservoir for decades. Experts believe the ruins could be those of the ancient city of Zachiku. It was a race against the clock to complete work before the city was once again covered by the reservoir's rising water level. By Alexander Freund
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Sensational find in TurkeyTurkish archaeologists discover subterranean city of Matiate
Welcome to the underground! In Midyat, Turkey, the gateway to a huge underground city has been discovered. It was used for over 1900 years and could accommodate up to 70,000 people. Hannah Fuchs has the details
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Arabic inscription on Coimbra Cathedral"Greatness will remain"
The façade of a twelfth-century cathedral is an unlikely place to find a message in Arabic script carved in stone, but so it is in the Portuguese city of Coimbra. Marta Vidal explores the background to the cathedral and examines how an 800-year Arabic inscription endured on the walls of a Roman Catholic house of worship
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Archaeology in EgyptAncient Pharaonic boat taken to Egypt's grand new museum
In Ancient Egypt, the pharaohs had "solar boats" built to take them into the afterlife. One of these boats was discovered in 1954. It has now been moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum
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The "Syrian Heritage Archive Project"Syria's cultural landscape lives on – in Berlin
Countless cultural assets were destroyed by the Syrian Civil War. The Syrian Heritage Archive Project in Berlin contributes to preserving their memory with an exhibition showing what has been lost – and what remains. By Christina Kufner
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Treasures of the ancient Middle EastDeciphering the first written language
Some time around 3200 BC, humans living in the ancient Middle East developed the first written language. George Smith presented fragments of the Flood narrative from the ancient Middle Eastern story of Gilgamesh at a conference in London in 1872 – and mankind’s first epic was rediscovered. By Melanie Christina Mohr
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Non-Fiction: Michael Sommer′s ″Syria. Geschichte einer zerstoerten Welt″Before the truth wars: The history of a destroyed world
In ″Syria. Geschichte einer zerstörten Welt″, Michael Sommer masterfully succeeds in throwing a spotlight on the past, every distinct detail illuminating a complex context. Questioning stereotypes, such as the alleged separation of Orient and Occident, he has produced a highly readable work for our time. Marius Meller read the book
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Cultural heritage in Syria and IraqCasualties of war
The wealth of cultural sites strewn throughout present day Syria and Iraq bear ample witness to the fact that this area was once revered as the cradle of civilisation – sadly, many of these sites have fallen victim to war, violence and looting. By Mey Dudin