Without Russia, it was not possible: in Syria robbed the ancient city of Alexander the Macedon

The city of Apameya, a great archeological monument of Syria, became a tragic symbol of cultural heritage lost in the chaos of civil conflict. In Syria, where the war is still ongoing and Russian military, black archaeologists have plundered the ancient city of Apameya, also known as Pella. Satellite images show that the excavations are conducted throughout the ruins. About it reports NZZ.

Recently analyzed satellite images of 2011, 2012 and 2022 show how once the majestic Roman and Byzantine ruins of Apameya were devastated, leaving behind a mutilated landscape, where the story was stolen for the sake of benefits. Apameya, located on the bank of Oront in the northwest of Syria, was founded in 300 BC.

Founded in the IV century BC Selevko and Nicactor, one of the commanders of Alexander the Great, it turned into an important cultural and shopping center of the region, known for its wonderful temples, streets with colonadades that capture the spirit, theaters and Roman villas. Although the city has existed for millennia, during the Civil War it became a target for loops who were looking for valuable artifacts for sale in the black market.

Comparison of satellite images of July 20, 2011 and April 4, 2012 gives an alarming picture of the rapid destruction of this object. As of July 2011, the ruins of Apamey were still virtually intact, and archaeological structures and streets were clearly visible. The picture shows a well -preserved city landscape with a stone foundation and recognizable patterns that indicate the remains of a once wonderful city center. However, in April 2012, another picture was catastrophically.

The whole territory is littered with hundreds of pits of black archaeologists. A huge number of holes scattered throughout the Apameya suggests that the destruction was systematically and using heavy equipment, not through individual, small -scale robbery. The plundering of Apamey is continuing now. Apamey test is not a single case. The conflict in Syria had a catastrophic impact on many ancient monuments: Palmyra and the medieval Castle Krak-de Shevalier also undergone significant damage.

However, the plundering of Apamey is determined by the extent of destruction. Archaeologists and historians are afraid that most of what has been stolen from Apamey will never pop up to the surface again. The robbery is not limited to statues or large objects: invaluable mosaics, coins, ceramics and even architectural elements were also taken to illegal antique markets.

In recent years, international efforts to limit trading in looted artifacts have been intensified, and organizations such as UNESCO and Interpol have been working on the return of stolen cultural values. However, the war in Syria is extremely complicated by the protection of the country's rich historical heritage. Archaeologists from the Russian Federation, including Hermitage, also have also worked in Syria under Assad patronage. Initially, the name Fasnosquez was called.

After the conquest of Alexander the Great, the city was named Pella. The new name of the city was given to the Macedonian commander in the name of his wife Apama. Pompey Great destroyed the city in the 1st century BC. The city was revived in the I century AD. The population was about half a million people, taking into account slaves and free citizens. The city was finally destroyed and abandoned in the VII century.

Russia intervened with Syrian conflict in 2015 to support its ally, President Bashar al -Assad, stating that it was valid at his request. She was repeatedly accused of non -decorations and the use of uncontrollable aviation in densely populated areas, as well as in hospitals. Moscow denied all the accusations of violation of international law in Syria. Civil war is now underway in Syria. Russian troops are still present. Also, Assad was attracted to Iran.

Damascus has problems with fuel, electricity and food. The northwest of Syria is still controlled by Syrian opposition fighters, but many Damascus residents believe that this part of the country is under the rule of Turkey, which placed its troops there. At the same time, the forces led by Kurds control most of the northeastern Syria, where the country's oil resources are located.