2 mural paintings portraying heaven and hell discovered in Syria

Washington, October 12 : Archaeologists have discovered two mural paintings portraying Heaven and Hell, at al-Marqab Citadel in Tartous, Syria.

According to a report in Global Arab Network, Director-General of Ruins and Museums Bassam Jamous said that the paintings reveal the sophisticated capabilities of the Syrian artists and highlight social and religious rituals.

He added the analysis of the two paintings would lead to important results that give an insight into the social and ritualistic connotations.

Jamous said that the national mission at Tal al-Mosherfa unearthed a number of tombs dating back to the Middle Bronze era, around 700 B.C., as well as dozens of ancient pieces like earthenware containers, stressing that decoding them would expand knowledge of that era.

The castle, al-Marqab Citadel, located only 6 Km from Banias, sits on the side of an extinct volcano, over watching the sea.

Called ‘Qalaat Al Marqab’ in Arabic, it means Castle of the watchtower.

This is where Richard the Lionheart landed at the beginning of the third crusade.

Founded in 1062 by the Muslim Arabs, it was then taken over by the Byzantines, and then somehow passed into the hands of the principality of Antioch at an unknown date.