Raqqa, Western Palace, aerial view of excavation site

Raqqa, Western Palace, aerial view of excavation site

Raqqa, the inner façade of Baghdad Gate (Bab Baghdad)

Raqqa, the inner façade of Baghdad Gate (Bab Baghdad)

Raqqa, Baghdad gate

Raqqa, Baghdad gate

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate, geometric decorations in the niche, built with bricks

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate, geometric decorations in the niche, built with bricks

Jaʿbar Castle, Minaret of the mosque

Jaʿbar Castle, Minaret of the mosque

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate (Bab) as seen from outside the fence

Raqqa, Baghdad Gate (Bab) as seen from outside the fence

Stone coffins in the southern Palace, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Stone coffins in the southern Palace, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Damascus Gate on the south eastern side of the City Wall, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Damascus Gate on the south eastern side of the City Wall, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Eastern side of Damascus Gate, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Eastern side of Damascus Gate, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Fort V, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Fort V, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Ebla (Tall Mardikh), basalt basin was often used for the purposes of worship

Ebla (Tall Mardikh), basalt basin was often used for the purposes of worship

Tall Brak, general view of the main mound

Tall Brak, general view of the main mound

Raqqa, Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall - Excavations

Raqqa, Madinat ar-Rafiqa wall – Excavations

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, small finds

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, small finds

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, stucco

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, stucco

Tall al-Biʿa, Ancient city of Tuttul

Tall al-Biʿa, Ancient city of Tuttul

Tall Brak, one of the earliest and largest cities in northern Mesopotamia during the 4th millennium BC [Original photo name:eye temple4]

Tall Brak, one of the earliest and largest cities in northern Mesopotamia during the 4th millennium BC [Original photo name:eye temple4]

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

Tall Brak (Nagar), ruins of Naram-Sin Palace, 3rd millennuim BC. [Original photo name: naram sin palace2]

Jaʿbar castle, southern side of the castle

Jaʿbar castle, southern side of the castle

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) - Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) – Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) - Excavations

Tall Shaykh Hamad (Dur Katlimmu) – Excavations

Raqqa - "East of Raqqa" site - Tall Aswad - finds

Raqqa – “East of Raqqa” site – Tall Aswad – finds

Raqqa - "East of Raqqa" site - Western Palace - excavations

Raqqa – “East of Raqqa” site – Western Palace – excavations

Raqqa - "East of Raqqa" site - Tall az-Zujaj - excavations

Raqqa – “East of Raqqa” site – Tall az-Zujaj – excavations

Raqqa - the excavations of the site "East of Raqqa" - Eastern Palace

Raqqa – the excavations of the site “East of Raqqa” – Eastern Palace

Fragments of stucco, Kharab Sayyar

Fragments of stucco, Kharab Sayyar

Isometrie of the Royal Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Isometrie of the Royal Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

Hiraqla victory monument - Decorative stone panel

Hiraqla victory monument – Decorative stone panel

Remains of wall foundations, Kharab Sayyar

Remains of wall foundations, Kharab Sayyar