Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Syrian, well-Known archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad was killed in 18 August at the hands of Daesh terrorists after he refused to betray his city.
The old archeologist made a large number of researches to protect the archeological sites of the city.
In 1963 al-Asaad started his career as Director of Antiquities and Museums in Palmyra. He worked hard to develop the archaeological institution in Palmyra on the scientific and administrative levels.
The highly-regarded archaeologist retired in 2003, but he continued to carry out researches in the city. When the terrorists of Daesh attacked the city, the old archeologist refused to cooperate with them or to leave the city of Palmyra, saying “I am from Palmyra and I will stay in it even if they kill me”.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO’s then Director-General, Irina Bokova said that Daesh killed the Syrian Archeologist Khaled al-Asaad because he would not betray his deep commitment to Palmyra.
The UNESCO Organization said, following the destruction of a number of famous parts of the city dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries under the pretext that these “ruins are idolatrous”, Daesh destruction of parts of Palmyra constitutes a “war crime.”
Al-Asaad was awarded the Syrian Order of Merit of Excellent Degree by the President of the Syrian Arab Republic.
And he was awarded the National Order of Merit by the President of the French Republic , the President of the Republic of Poland and by the President of the Tunisian Republic .
Khaled al-Asaad was born in Tadmur (Palmyra) in 1934. He received a degree in history and a diploma in education from Damascus University, and was head of the studies and excavations department at the Archeology Directorate in Damascus, as well as working at Al-Azem Palace in Damascus, before becoming the head of the Tadmur Archeology Department and curator of the city’s national museum until 2003.
Al-Asaad made numerous important archeological discoveries in Palmyra, and was instrumental in renovating and repairing sites, landmarks, and artifacts in the ancient city. He was also versed in the old Palmyran language.
Fedaa al-Rhayiah /Hala Zain
