Mari (Tall al-Hariri), The Archive Hall in the Palace of Zimri lim

Mari (Tall al-Hariri), The Archive Hall in the Palace of Zimri lim

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.

Khan Qurtbak, southern part of Khan - the inner courtyard and the iwan of the Mamluk palace

Khan Qurtbak, southern part of Khan – the inner courtyard and the iwan of the Mamluk palace

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]

A staircase was leading up to upper floor at Royal Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

A staircase was leading up to upper floor at Royal Palace G, Ebla (Tall Mardikh)

A view of Royal Palace G, Tall Mardikh (Ebla)

A view of Royal Palace G, Tall Mardikh (Ebla)

Khan Qurdbak, iwan of the Mamluk palace

Khan Qurdbak, iwan of the Mamluk palace

Khan Qurdbak, southern part of the Khan - iwan of the Mamluk Palace

Khan Qurdbak, southern part of the Khan – iwan of the Mamluk Palace

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]

Qasr (palace) al-Hayr al-Gharbi, view of the ruins

Qasr (palace) al-Hayr al-Gharbi, view of the ruins

The historic alley leading to al-ʿAzm Palace

The historic alley leading to al-ʿAzm Palace

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]

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

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

Aleppo: Citadel, Palace, 13 C.

Aleppo: Citadel, Palace, 13 C.

Raqqa countryside, a traditional wedding ceremony in Suwaydiyya Kabira village

Raqqa countryside, a traditional wedding ceremony in Suwaydiyya Kabira village

Raqqa countryside, Men in a traditional tent in Suwaydiyya Kabira village

Raqqa countryside, Men in a traditional tent in Suwaydiyya Kabira village

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque - Plan

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque – Plan

A photo of villagers in front of traditional building under construction, Raqqa

A photo of villagers in front of traditional building under construction, Raqqa

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

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

Raqqa, hypothetic reconstruction of the prayer hall of Grand Abbasid Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq)

Raqqa, hypothetic reconstruction of the prayer hall of Grand Abbasid Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq)

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque - Plan

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque – Plan

Church of the Armenians in ar-Raqqa

Church of the Armenians in ar-Raqqa

Raqqa - Remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa – Remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa, Great Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq), the courtyard

Raqqa, Great Mosque (al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq), the courtyard

Raqqa - remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa – remains of the southern arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa, Great Mosque; Aerial view

Raqqa, Great Mosque; Aerial view

A photo of villagers at the entrance of traditional building under construction, Raqqa

A photo of villagers at the entrance of traditional building under construction, Raqqa

Raqqa countyside, shepherd with traditional woolen coat in the village Suwaydiyya Kabira

Raqqa countyside, shepherd with traditional woolen coat in the village Suwaydiyya Kabira

Rubble management, design of a geodetic grid over rubble heap, Frauenkirche (church), Dresden, Germany

Fig.09_geodetic grid over rubble heap

Archaeological finds from Raqqa, exhibited in the Damascus National Museum

Archaeological finds from Raqqa, exhibited in the Damascus National Museum