HALL OF HAMAThe Citadel of Hama was built long ago on an artificial mound. The vestiges of human beings have been amassed in it from the second millennium B.C. down to the present age. This tell has been excavated from 1931 till 1938 by a Danish Mission led by Prof. Harald INGEOLT and consisted of Dr. Paul Ruis , Mr. Vagon Poulsen, Miss Nora Scott and Miss Florence Day. The excavations have revealed many levels corresponding with the different cultures of the past. The upper layer termed "Stratum A "corresponds with the Islamic-Arab era. The most prosperous period of Hama was that of the Ayyubids whose rule also lasted in the Mamluk Period ( 7 - 8 C.H.A.= 13 – 14 C.A.D ) .Most of the discovered archaeological pieces geometrical decorations standing out by way of puncturing and belong to this Period. These pieces indicate the degree of scientific, technical and socio-economic progress that contributed to the formation of the Islamic-Arab civilization in Syria. It is worthy to mention in this connection that the Mongolian invasion which took place in the Euphrates Valley made most of the artisans and craftsmen move towards the Central Syria, in general , and Hama in particular. These artisans and craftsmen have greatly contributed to the progress of this civilization. The objects discovered in the course of the excavations have been restored by Messrs. Rhalid Shukri, Ra’if al-Hafiz, F. Jensen, Muhammad as-Saqqa and Hasan Zarqash. The discovered objects have been classified in eleven showcases and four niches in accordance with their material: Pottery, metal, glass, and ceramic. Every material is in turn, and subdivided according to the manufacture and color. Attention may kindly be brought to the fact that there is a number of photographic reproductions of pieces discovered at Hama which are housed now in the Museum of Copenhagen in accordance with a clause of the agreement of excavations concluded under the Mandate.
To the left : Polychrome ceramic of Hama.
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