Syria announces Recovery of 1,400 Tablets and Artifacts for Idleb Museum

At a press conference held at the Idleb Museum, the Minister hailed the province as “one of the most significant testaments to Syria’s ancient history,” adding that the anniversary of the liberation further underscores its importance to the country.

Minister al-Saleh stressed that protecting Syria’s cultural heritage is a “red line” and that efforts continue to recover items that were lost during the years of conflict. He also pointed out that Syria’s landscape contains a human legacy that extends far beyond its borders.

The Minister praised the people of Idleb for their exceptional awareness since the beginning of the Syrian uprising, noting that they had stored tablets and artifacts from the ancient kingdoms of Ebla and Mari in private locations for safekeeping.

He explained that attacks by the former regime on the Idleb Museum had damaged protective walls and internal corridors, resulting in the loss of several pieces for many years. After the area was liberated, ministry teams located and recovered the missing collections, including items dating back to nearly 3,200 BCE. These artifacts are connected to the civilizations of Mari, Ebla, Assyria, Sumer, and Akkad, and are crucial for understanding the religious, legal, diplomatic, political, and social structures of the ancient Near East.

The Minister concluded by emphasizing that Syria is reclaiming its heritage, cultural identity, and historical narrative. “We are a civilization deeply rooted in history, and we will not allow our identity to be undermined,” he said.