Chairman of the Ruins Excavation Section in Aleppo Ruins and Museums Department Youssef Kanjo reported that the Syrian-Japanese joint expedition working in Didarieh Cave, northern Aleppo (Syria), unearthed lots of stony tools dating back to the Yabroudi civilization. He added that excavation works included the part returned to the Musterian Civilization, as hundreds of flint and bony tools were used by the Neanderthal Man, to whom the Musterian Civilization belongs.
     Kanjo added that the Syrian-Polish expedition working in Tel al-Qaramil, north Aleppo, discovered a circular bridge and number of circular adjoining houses and tombs dating back to the Bronze Age. The Syrian-Dutch and American expedition finished its works in Emar Palace, East Aleppo. The expedition restored a part of Bell Temple, dating back to the late Bronze Age, using the same material which the Temple was built from. The French expedition continues its works in Gha'da Cave site in Manbij to unearth the most oldest mud painting in the world, which was discovered during the previous excavation seasons. The works include the area surrounding the painting in order to understand it.
     For his part Director of Aleppo Ruins and Museums Department Nadeen Fakish said that the discoveries of the Spanish expedition working in Tel al-Amarinaa in Jarabluse area are dating back to the Bronze Age. The expedition discovered a factory for manufacturing wine. The Syrian-Danish expedition conducted some surveys at Hulwanji castle on Saghour River. The surveys showed that the castle, which is dating back to the medium Bronze Age, was built of adobes and still existed on 3 meters height. The Belgian expedition continued its excavation works in Tel Ahmar, unearthing a pyramidal archaeological tomb dating back to medium Bronze Age (2000 BCE).
     The archaeological sites in Aleppo governorate are a main attractive factor for the national and foreign joint excavation expeditions and contribute to highlighting the various civilizations in the city through the ages. (ANA)

Source: Global Arab Network (30 January 2010)