HISTORY

URHOY, Turkey — Excavations in the Kizilkoyun area of Urhoy (Urfa), Turkey, have uncovered stone tablets and tombs dating back over two thousand years, offering significant insights into the region’s cultural and religious history. Reports from archaeological and research institutions in Urhoy reveal that the discoveries include religious inscriptions written…

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands / GRONAU, Germany — The family of renowned Syriac hero Şemun Hanne Haydo hosted celebratory events in the Netherlands and Germany to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his birth and the 60th anniversary of his passing. Haydo is celebrated for his valiant efforts in protecting the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean)…

LAGASH, Iraq — An archaeological team from the University of Pennsylvania has uncovered a significant discovery in Lagash, an ancient Sumerian city in Dhi Qar Governorate in southern Iraq. The excavation revealed a pottery factory dating back to the third millennium BC, providing unprecedented insights into the daily lives of…

BETH NAHRIN — Celebrated by the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people around the world annually on 1 November, Syriac Press Day recognizes the press’s vital role in fostering awareness of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) identity and advocating for national and legal issues facing the community. The celebration commemorates the issuing of the first…

This article was originally published by This Is Beirut on 6 October 2024. The original can be found here. By Dr. Amine Jules Iskandar President of the Syriac Maronite Union – Tur Levnon The self-governing Mount Lebanon is a chrysalis born from a silk cocoon. Without the silk, there would have been…

LONDON / BAGHDAD — In a significant diplomatic achievement, Britain has returned a historical artifact to the Iraqi embassy in London, which had been stolen from Iraq during the Gulf War. The artifact, which once adorned the northwestern gate of Nimrud Palace during the Assyrian Kingdom era, was formally handed…

NINEVEH, Iraq — Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani, has announced the nomination of several new sites for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among these is the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh. He highlighted the significant progress made this year in archaeological discoveries, with…

MOSUL, Iraq — In a significant development regarding the archaeological wall of Nineveh, the Nineveh Heritage and Antiquities Inspectorate announced legal action against the Sanitation Directorate of Nineveh for damaging a portion of the ancient wall during a construction project. Ruwaid al-Laili, Director of the Antiquities Inspectorate, stated in a…

AYN AL-TAMR, Iraq — As climate change intensifies in Iraq, its impact on the nation’s historical landmarks is becoming more severe. Among the endangered sites is the historic Al-Aqiser Church in the town of Ayn al-Tamr, 70 kilometers southwest of Karbala. The church, dating back to the 5th century AD,…

ZAKHO, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — The history of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people is tragically marked by a series of massacres and genocides. Beyond the infamous 1915 Sayfo Genocide and 1933 Simele Massacre, the oppressed Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community in Iraq also endured the horrific Soria Massacre on 16 September 1969, in a…