Aleppo, July 17 (SANA)Syria has launched a volunteer-driven campaign to preserve and rehabilitate the ancient Ain Dara temple in Afrin, one of northern Syria’s most significant archaeological landmarks, theAleppoDirectorate of Antiquities and Museums said Friday.

The initiative, organized by theDirectorate-General of Antiquities and Museums(DGAM) in cooperation with the “Sons of Olive” Association, seeks to clear weeds, clean the site and carry out basic maintenance work as part of broader efforts to safeguard Syria’s cultural heritage and promote community engagement in its protection.

Volunteer efforts to protect Ain Dara’s identity

Batal Khalil, director of the Antiquities Office in Afrin, told SANA that the campaign focuses on clearing vegetation, removing debris and improving the general appearance of the site to protect its structures from natural factors and preserve its distinctive aesthetic character.

Khalil said the work is being carried out with support from the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums and the Afrin region administration, with the participation of volunteers from the Sons of Olive Association and a number of archaeologists.

He stressed that volunteer initiatives are a key pillar in the protection and preservation of cultural heritage and in strengthening the link between local communities and their history.

A Syrian heritage from the Iron Age

Khalil described Tell Ain Dara as one of the most prominent archaeological sites in northern Syria, home to an Iron Age temple renowned for its stone decorations, reliefs and mythological symbols carved in basalt, which reflect the artistic and spiritual traditions of the region.

He noted that the temple, dating from approximately 1300 to 740 BC, is regarded as one of the major monuments of the Syro-Hittite civilization and has attracted international scholarly interest for its architectural layout and decorative program, which bear notable similarities to descriptions of Solomon’s Temple in the Hebrew Bible.

The current campaign, he added, aims to enhance the site’s presentation, highlight its features and help introduce residents and visitors to its importance as part of Syria’s cultural identity and national heritage.

Youth volunteers safeguarding Syria’s heritage

Kifah Murad, chairperson of the Sons of Olive Association, said the volunteer campaign will run for a full month in three phases, two of which are dedicated to Tell Ain Dara, with a third phase planned at the Nabi Huri archaeological site. Volunteers from the region, including university students, academics and teachers, are taking part.

Murad said the initiative is designed to contribute to environmental protection, preserve archaeological sites and shed light on Afrin’s cultural assets in order to encourage tourism and promote interest in historical heritage among younger generations.

Volunteer Shiyar Khalil said the campaign forms part of a wider community effort to clean and care for archaeological sites in Afrin, with participants working to present these landmarks in a manner that reflects their historical and cultural value and supports their long-term preservation.

The Ain Dara temple remains a focal point for researchers and visitors alike, with its monumental basalt reliefs of lions, sphinxes and other mythological figures continuing to testify to the richness of ancient Syrian civilization and its contribution to the cultural history of the region.