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.

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

Tall al-Mishrifa (Qatna) within its geographic area

Tall al-Mishrifa (Qatna) within its geographic area

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

Safita, view from the Qal'a on at-Tall quarter

Safita, view from the Qal’a on at-Tall quarter

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

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

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)

Tall al-Bi'a, Excavation at Dayr Zakka (monastery)

Tall al-Bi’a, Excavation at Dayr Zakka (monastery)

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

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

The arcade wall of Great Mosque of Raqqa-Rafiqa, 8th/12th C.

The arcade wall of Great Mosque of Raqqa-Rafiqa, 8th/12th C.

Raqqa, the archway of Baghdad Gate

Raqqa, the archway of Baghdad Gate

Archaeological objects, ar-Raqqa Museum

Archaeological objects, ar-Raqqa Museum

Raqqa - Qasr al-Banat, inner courtyard

Raqqa – Qasr al-Banat, inner courtyard

Raqqa, Qasr (Palace) al-Banat

Raqqa, Qasr (Palace) al-Banat

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)

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque - Plan

Raqqa, Grand Abbasid Mosque – Plan

Raqqa, enclosure wall and arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Raqqa, enclosure wall and arcade of al-Jamiʿ al-ʿAtiq (Great Mosque)

Minaret and exterior wall of the Great Mosque of ar-Raqqa/ar-Rafiqa, 8th/12th c.

Minaret and exterior wall of the Great Mosque of ar-Raqqa/ar-Rafiqa, 8th/12th c.

Remains of ar-Raqqa Wall built of mud brick

Remains of ar-Raqqa Wall built of mud brick

The minaret of Great Mosque of ar-Raqqa/ar-Rafiqa, 8th/12th c.

The minaret of Great Mosque of ar-Raqqa/ar-Rafiqa, 8th/12th c.

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

Fig.09_geodetic grid over rubble heap

Village of Tall Hamidiyya with excavation house (left)

Village of Tall Hamidiyya with excavation house (left)

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

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

A coffee house and waiting service taxi in the center of the small frontier town

A coffee house and waiting service taxi in the center of the small frontier town

Mud bricks, prepared for the restoration of ar-Raqqa Wall

Mud bricks, prepared for the restoration of ar-Raqqa Wall

Near Tall Abyad, view of ʿAyn al-ʿArus lake

Near Tall Abyad, view of ʿAyn al-ʿArus lake

Tall Abyad, Historical watermil of ʿAyn al ʿArus

Tall Abyad, Historical watermil of ʿAyn al ʿArus

Nahiyat Tall Tamir, Street facade of a house in an Assyrian village, that still kept one domed room.

Nahiyat Tall Tamir, Street facade of a house in an Assyrian village, that still kept one domed room.

Reconstruction of Assyrian town Dur Katlimmu

Reconstruction of Assyrian town Dur Katlimmu