Temple of Bel still standing, says Syria's antiquities chief

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Temple of Bel still standing, says Syria's antiquities chief

Kareem Shaheen in Beirut
Monday 31 August 2015 13.15 BST

Residents in the historic city of Palmyra reported a massive explosion in its ancient ruins but the temple of Bel, one of Syria’s most prized treasures, remains standing, the country’s antiquities chief told the Guardian.

“The temple structure is on a raised terrace that can be seen from afar, and our information is that the temple is still there,” said Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syria’s director of antiquities, in a telephone interview from Damascus.

Earlier this month, Islamic State destroyed the temple of Baal Shamin, a second-century structure dedicated to the ancient sky god. The group also beheaded Khaled al-Asaad, 82, the elderly keeper of antiquities in Palmyra. The city is one of the best preserved sites of antiquity and a Silk Road hub that was conquered by Isis in May, after the militant group routed forces loyal to the regime of president Bashar al-Assad.

Abdulkarim said the extent of damage in the compound could not be assessed until images of it were released by Isis, which holds the town. “This is something different from Baal Shamin,” Abdulkarim said.

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/31/ancient-temple-bel-still-standing-syria-antiquities-chief

Earlier thread: Islamic State attacks another ancient temple in Palmyra

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Satellite photographs show it's almost completely destroyed

only an entrance still standing:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34111092

Just the entrance on the left of this left: