Raqqa, Western Palace, aerial view of excavation site

Raqqa, Western Palace, aerial view of excavation site

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

Jaʿbar castle, southern side of the castle

Jaʿbar castle, southern side of the castle

A part of architectural remains in Tall Mardikh (Ebla)

A part of architectural remains in Tall Mardikh (Ebla)

Raqqa, Baghdad gate

Raqqa, Baghdad gate

Remains of walls and pillars, Mari (Tall al-Hariri)

Remains of walls and pillars, Mari (Tall al-Hariri)

A side of the architectural remains, Mari (Tall al-Hariri)

A side of the architectural remains, Mari (Tall al-Hariri)

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

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)

Tall al-Biʿa, Ancient city of Tuttul

Tall al-Biʿa, Ancient city of Tuttul

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

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

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, small finds

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, small finds

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]

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, general view of the main mound

Tall Brak, general view of the main mound

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, stucco

Raqqa, Tall Aswad, stucco

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

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

Hiraqla victory monument - Decorative stone panel

Hiraqla victory monument – Decorative stone panel

Remains of wall foundations, Kharab Sayyar

Remains of wall foundations, Kharab Sayyar

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

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

The northern entrance of the historical city of Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya), end of 4th century BC

The northern entrance of the historical city of Dura Europos (Qalʿat as-Salihiyya), end of 4th century BC

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

Mari (Tall al-Hariri), the palace's cistern made of baked brick (beginning of 2nd millennium BC)

Mari (Tall al-Hariri), the palace’s cistern made of baked brick (beginning of 2nd millennium BC)

Mari (Tall Hariri), a side of the architectural remains

Mari (Tall Hariri), a side of the architectural remains

Raqqa, Aerial photo of Hiraqla vicotry monument

Raqqa, Aerial photo of Hiraqla vicotry monument