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Ancient City in the Syrian Desert |
Across the vast desert, the golden sands stretch endlessly, making it almost impossible to find the horizon. During the day, temperatures can soar above 40 degrees Celsius, while at night, they can plummet to -40 degrees Celsius. In such a harsh environment, even animals hesitate to venture here; one might wonder who would want to settle in this inhospitable land?
Remarkably, in 1862, French archaeologist Me Dawallgai first discovered hundreds of ancient cities buried for over 1000 years in the northern part of the Great Syrian Desert. From the towering palaces and temples with thick walls to the layers of white volcanic rock scattered across the ground, it is not easy to recognize the former splendor of these ancient cities. Only through the desolate, quiet streets, with sandstorms swirling around and buildings half-buried in sand, can we see that this is indeed a “Dead City.”
Historical records indicate that more than 6000 years ago, this area was a major trade route connecting Syria to both Western and Eastern countries, one of the regions where ancient civilization emerged. A city so prosperous—why has humanity forgotten it, turning it into a “Dead City” as we see today?
One archaeologist suggests that economic decline might be the cause. In 611, King Persian conquered Antioch, severing trade routes to the Western countries and forcing merchants who frequently passed through this land to change their paths. The inability to trade goods here led to an economic stagnation, resulting in the decline of the ancient city.
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Ancient City in the Syrian Desert |
However, some archaeologists disagree with this viewpoint, arguing that economic factors did not significantly impact the decline of the ancient city. They believe that water remained the most precious resource. Although the ancient city had an intricate system of rivers and canals and several water reservoirs, without rainfall, water became a critical issue determining the survival or extinction of the inhabitants. Furthermore, the Roman Empire was not far from this region, and the Byzantine Empire was also flourishing, making it inevitable for a large population from the ancient city to relocate elsewhere. Over time, this ancient city fell into ruin.
So, what drove these people to build cities in the desert? How did they address the survival challenges posed by their harsh environment? For them, merely living here was not simple; how could they have managed to create the remarkable structure of the ancient city? These questions remain a mystery for many archaeologists who are still awaiting new evidence to find answers.
