Efforts to save archaeological sites in Tabqa following Euphrates decline

Since the creation of Lake Assad in the city of Tabqa in 1979, many archaeological sites have been submerged. However, due to the decline in water levels caused by the Turkish occupation’s policies of reducing the Euphrates River’s water flow, several sites, most notably Bals and Imar near the city of Maskana, have resurfaced.

As part of efforts to protect these sites, the Culture Committees of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Tabqa region have developed a joint mechanism to conduct comprehensive surveys and documentation of the archaeological sites emerging in the western countryside of Tabqa along the shores of Lake Assad.

This mechanism includes a field plan involving the formation of specialized teams to identify and document visible archaeological sites, as well as collecting precise data on the archaeological layers and discoveries to protect them from vandalism or destruction.

Yesterday, the archaeological survey team completed the first phase of its work at the Bals and Imar sites on both banks of the Euphrates in the Tabqa region and is preparing to launch the documentation phase and continue surveying the shores of Lake Assad.

The team consists of ten members representing the Culture Committees and archaeology specialists from  Tabqa and Raqqa. Work began on June 28 as part of a two-phase plan. The first phase involved field surveys and visual inspections of the sites that emerged due to the lowered water levels. Several instances of illegal digging were identified at the Bals site, which were addressed by filling the pits and coordinating with relevant authorities to strengthen protection for the archaeological sites, according to Mohammed al-Jabal, the Co-Chair of the Directorate of Tourism and Antiquities Protection in the city.

The second phase is expected to begin in the coming days, involving detailed documentation and extended field surveys from the Maskana area to the city of Tabqa, using boats along both banks of the Euphrates River.

In a statement to ANHA agency, Ali al-Alya, the Co-Chair of the Culture Committee in the Tabqa City, said: “The Euphrates basin is currently witnessing the uncovering of new archaeological layers, especially in recently liberated areas west of Tabqa, such as Dabsi and Maskana.” He suggested that tombs and other discoveries may emerge as the water continues to recede.

Al-Alya added that meetings regarding these mechanisms are ongoing, as are field survey operations, under the supervision of the Culture Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. These efforts aim to document the western bank of the Euphrates River from Tabqa to Maskana, alongside similar projects planned for the Jarnia area.

He confirmed that the survey work will continue, including documentation, registration, and data collection for the newly emerging sites, noting that more archaeological discoveries may appear in the near future due to the ongoing recession of the waters.

a.k

ANHA