Greek stone inscription unearthed in Si’a Hill, Sweida

During its work and field follow-up in the Si’a Hill archaeological site, the Sweida Antiquities Department unearthed an 80 cm-long and 40 cm-wide stone inscription in Greek.

Credit: SANA

Head of Sweida Antiquities Department Dr. Nashat Kiwan told SANA that the inscription was discovered in cooperation with the locals of the area and the preliminary analysis after reading the inscription suggests that it most likely belongs to the temples which had been built at the top of the hill.

Kiwan added that the inscription contains the name of a person who appears to have enjoyed a high status and had the honour of contributing to the building of a small stadium or a place for practicing athletic games within the site of the temples complex.

Kiwan noted that the inscription isn’t mentioned in historical or archaeological sources and may thus provide important information on the Si’a Hill archaeological site.

Si’a Hill is considered as one of the most important classical archaeological sites in southern Syria as it dates back to the Nabatean era and the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Source: SANA [December 17, 2018]