A wall painting from Zimri-Lim’s palace in Mari (Tall al-Hariri), which is known as "The Ordinator of the Sacrifice" (ca. 1780 BC) and hangs in the Louvre.

A wall painting from Zimri-Lim’s palace in Mari (Tall al-Hariri), which is known as “The Ordinator of the Sacrifice” (ca. 1780 BC) and hangs in the Louvre.

Sirjilla, andron, 5th c.

Sirjilla, andron, 5th c.

Izraʿ, al-Jamiʿ (Mosque) al-ʿUmari - the prayer niche

Izraʿ, al-Jamiʿ (Mosque) al-ʿUmari – the prayer niche

Destroyed shops on the north side of Jamiʿ an-Nuri (mosque), Homs

Destroyed shops on the north side of Jamiʿ an-Nuri (mosque), Homs

Tall al-Mishrifa (ancient Qatna), view of the historic citywall, within which the village is located

Tall al-Mishrifa (ancient Qatna), view of the historic citywall, within which the village is located

Shaykh Shibli shrine - al-Tar mountain, south -east of al-Mayadeen

Shaykh Shibli shrine – al-Tar mountain, south -east of al-Mayadeen

Bab al-Maqam in Aleppo, general view

Bab al-Maqam in Aleppo, general view

Shaykh Shibli shrine - al-Tar mountain, south -east of al-Mayadeen

Shaykh Shibli shrine – al-Tar mountain, south -east of al-Mayadeen

Aleppo, Bab al-Maqam city gate, general view from south, ca. 1932 during French mandate

Aleppo, Bab al-Maqam city gate, general view from south, ca. 1932 during French mandate

Main facade of Jamiʿ at-Tawashi mosque (video)

The main facade of al-Bimaristan an-Nuri in Damascus

The main facade of al-Bimaristan an-Nuri in Damascus

Aliya Alnuami is applying the relief paste on her ‘Ajami-work

Aliya Alnuami is applying the relief paste on her ‘Ajami-work

Raqqa - "East of Raqqa" site - Western Palace, Glazed pottery

Raqqa – “East of Raqqa” site – Western Palace, Glazed pottery

Pre-drawn pattern of a contemporary ‘Ajami decoration

Pre-drawn pattern of a contemporary ‘Ajami decoration

Outlining and shadowing of motifs of a contemporary ‘Ajami decoration

Outlining and shadowing of motifs of a contemporary ‘Ajami decoration

Aliya Alnuami is applying the relief paste on her ‘Ajami-work

Aliya Alnuami is applying the relief paste on her ‘Ajami-work

Modern interpretations of the traditional craft of ‘Ajami (workshop of Aliya Alnuami)

Modern interpretations of the traditional craft of ‘Ajami (workshop of Aliya Alnuami)

Waqf Ibshir Mustafa Basha, south western corner with former sabil

Waqf Ibshir Mustafa Basha, south western corner with former sabil

Rumi motifs on the Aleppo Room

Rumi motifs on the Aleppo Room

Archaeological finds from Raqqa, exhibited in the Damascus National Museum

Archaeological finds from Raqqa, exhibited in the Damascus National Museum

Bab al-Hadid, general view of the gate's entrance from inside

Bab al-Hadid, general view of the gate’s entrance from inside

al-Matbakh al-ʿAjami, ground plan drawing before the partial demolition

al-Matbakh al-ʿAjami, ground plan drawing before the partial demolition

Part of a decorated wooden door with ‘Ajami decoration from the Damascus Room in the Dresden Museum for Ethnology

Part of a decorated wooden door with ‘Ajami decoration from the Damascus Room in the Dresden Museum for Ethnology

Bad al-Hadid, detail of a rank decorating the gate's entrance from outside

Bad al-Hadid, detail of a rank decorating the gate’s entrance from outside

Bab al-Hadid, general view of the gate's tower with its machicolations and parapets

Bab al-Hadid, general view of the gate’s tower with its machicolations and parapets

Bab al-Hadid, inscription beside the door from outside

Bab al-Hadid, inscription beside the door from outside

Bab al-Hadid, general view of the gate's entrance from the outside

Bab al-Hadid, general view of the gate’s entrance from the outside

Tower north of Bab Antakiya, a side of the defensive tower after the removal of infringements

Tower north of Bab Antakiya, a side of the defensive tower after the removal of infringements

Tower north of Bab Antakiya. The inscription indicates a restoration by the Mamluk ruler al-Malik al-Muʾayyad Shaykh between 820/1417 and 823/1420

Tower north of Bab Antakiya. The inscription indicates a restoration by the Mamluk ruler al-Malik al-Muʾayyad Shaykh between 820/1417 and 823/1420

Bab Antakiya, inscription above the city gate

Bab Antakiya, inscription above the city gate