Ilia State UniversityArts Research Institute

Stichting Caucasus Foundation /NL/

MA AND PHD STUDENTS SECOND INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE IN

ARTS SCIENCE, PRACTICE, MANAGEMENT

23-25 of May of 2011

MA and Ph.D Students Second International Research ConferenceArt Science, Practice, Management

Conference Publication

23-25 May Tbilisi, Georgia

2011

Ilia State University

In 2011 international MA and PhD students conference was taking place for the second time. Conference was organized by Arts Research Institute of Ilia State University. Science confer-ence was a precondition for training of young scholars and a great way for their future profes-sional advancement. International format of the conference supports cultural dialogue.

International academic and organizationalcouncil of the conference:

Professors of Ilia State University: Dr. Levan Khetaguri, Art’s Research Institute, chair of the BoardDr. Iuri Mgebrishvili, Art’s Research Institute Dr. Nino Mkheidze, Art’s Research Institute Dr. Manana Itonishvili, Art’s Research InstituteDr. Teona kakhidze, Art’s Research InstituteProfessor Dr. Hiep Hagoort, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands,Professor Dr. Emil Orzechowski, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland

Conference Supporters: Ilia State UniversityPolish Embassy in GeorgiaStitching Caucasus foundation (NLEnglish Language Editor: Tamar lolua

ILIA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS 3/5 Cholokashvili Ave, Tbilisi, 0162, Georgia

ISBN: 978-9941-18-095-8

C O N T E N T SProf. Dr. Levan KhetaguriPREFACE .................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Prof. Emil Orzechowski„ARTE ET RATIONE” – EDITION 2011 .......................................................................................................... 6

ArT SCiENCES

Anja BajdaIN SEARCH OF HAPPy ENDS ......................................................................................................................... 13

Rati Chiburdanidze

SOME ASPECTS OF ESMA ONIOANI’S PAINTING .................................................................................. 17

Lasha Chkartishvili

“KING LEAR” ON GEORGIAN STAGE – WHAT DOES STATISTICS INDICATE?! .......................... 21

Ketevan Chitadze

LUCIANO BERIO: SiNfONiA 1968 FROM ETyMOLOGy TO GENRE PARADIGM ........................................................................................... 27

Anka Herbut

PornograPhy of imProvising; Performative nudity in contemPorary theatre ................................................................. 32

Tamar Kiknavelidze

AMERICAN THEATRE SyNDICATE AND ART AS A FAMILy BUSINESS ........................................ 36

Rusudan Kvaratskhelia

THE SEMANTICS OF METAPHOR IN CINEMA ........................................................................................ 43

Anuka Lomidze

video image with or without context ........................................................................................ 48

Tamar Mikadze

THE WAyS OF JAzz ADAPTATION IN “ACADEMIC SCORE” ON THE ExAMPLE OF CONCERT GENRE ................................................................................................. 53

Tamar Mukeria

Brecht’s esthetics in Piccolo theatre on the examPle of giorgio strehler ............................................................................................ 58

Ceren Ozpinar

FRAGILITy AND NATURALITy IN CONTEMPORARy ART-CASE OF TURKEy* ....................... 62

Giorgi Papashvili

ORIENTATION OF GEORGIAN SECULAR PAINTING (AN OvERvIEW) ........................................ 69

Maia Sigua

THE CAvE By STEvE REICH – MINIMALIST’S MUSICAL THEATRE .............................................. 75

THE AESTHETIC CANON OF CLASSICAL INDIAN DANCE ................................................................ 81

vera Shanidze

SOME UNKNOWN ASPECTS OF GORI CELLARS .................................................................................... 89

Ana Shanshiashvili

SHARED IMAGERy: NIKO PIROSMANASHvILI’S ART AND THE GRAvESTONE DECORATION SySTEM ................................................................................................................................... 104

PERfORMING ARTS

Natalia Digmelashvili

guidelines for teaching dance as an essential Part of drama Pedagogy ...................................................................................... 112

Irakli Gogia

IMPORTANCE OF CONTACT IMPROvISATION IN PROCESS OF ACTOR’S TRAINING ........................................................................................................................................ 117

Marina Lobjanidze

CLEMENTI – THE FIRST vIRTUOSO PIANIST ....................................................................................... 121

Martins vilums

COMPOSITIONAL STRUCTURES AS ExPRESSIvE FORMS OF MENTAL-SPATIAL IMAGINATION....................................................................................................... 127

Somayeh yaghoubi

GRAPHICAL ISGNS (vISUAL SIGNS) AND DRAMA ............................................................................. 136

CULTURAL MANAGEMENT, CULTURAL POLICy, CULTURAL TOURISM

yousef AlDabti

cultural tourism on the euPhrates renovation of najm castle as a scientific center for archaeological research on euPhrates cultures .......................................................................................................................... 145

Elene Babakishvili

SOME FINANCING ASPECTS OF CULTURE IN GEORGIA ................................................................. 166

Galina Koretskaya

ANALySIS OF CULTURAL POLICy IN KAzAKHSTAN ........................................................................ 171

Sophia Sanikidze

OUTDOOR ADvERTISING IN GEORGIA – REALITy AND PERSPECTIvES (IMPORTANCE OF CREATIvE) .................................................................................................................... 175

CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS: ................................................................................................................... 180

SCIENTIFIC ACADEMIC BOARD CONFERENCE AND PUBLICATION ........................................ 195

PARTICIPANT UNIvERSITIES AND ORGANIzATIONS ..................................................................... 199ARTS RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ILIA STATE UNIvERSITy ............................................................ 200

P R E FAC E

In 2011 international MA and PhD student conference in arts sciences, performing arts and arts management was conducted in Georgia for the second time. In 2010 it was conducted for the first time with initiative from Stichting Caucasus Foundation /NL/.

In 2010 it was one of the first of its kind in Europe and it is noteworthy that presently many universities are already involved in organizing international MA and PhD student conferences not only in direction of arts theory but in research field of arts practice.

Necessity of conducting a science conference comes from need for further improvement of young scholars and researchers, for useful and necessary approbation of their research, for creating a friendly environment and establishment of future international connections.

Research of theoretical and practical issues of the arts is linked with number of difficulties. First and foremost these difficulties are associated with its two dimensional system, because arts always has local national as well as international identity, according to which it shares local functions along with international and global values. Virtually it is part of globalization process.

Main importance of our conference lies in the fact that researchers of arts theory present their works together with arts practitioners like directors, musicians, arts managers and every young scholar interested in future development of the arts.

Exchange and sharing of ideas and experience of young scholars is a precondition for planning and implementation of joint research as well as preparation for shared programs.

It is particularly notable, that organizer of this year’s conference is Ilia State University along with its Arts Research Institute created in 2010. It is nevertheless important that our Institute is vir-tually the only multi disciplinary research center in Georgia and Caucasus with research directions in arts theory and practice, culture policy and arts management with successful approbation of new programs.

I would like to make a particular emphasis on Ilia State University’s support for arts research development in present high education field which is a clear indication that Georgian academic life is getting closer and closer to the experience of Western civilization.

More than 12 PhD, MA student and scholars from 7 countries are participating in this year’s conference. Only 30 different works and research have been selected from large number of applica-tions. I strongly believe that the second international PhD and MA student conference will be suc-cessful for young scholars.

Professor Dr. Levan KhetaguriDirector of Arts Research Institute of Ilia State University

Prof. Emil Orzechowski Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

„ARTE ET RATIONE” – EDITION 2011

You are probably a bit surprise that I am using the exact date in the title of this paper. However it was necessary to do it, because the text deals with such issues as: culture-cultural policy-manage-ment, which are – at least in two last elements – very dynamic, especially in the countries which started their new journey towards civic, democratic societies after 1989 or even later.

The first version of this paper was written in a year of 2006, the second and slightly changed one in 2008 and now it appears, that because we are facing so many changes, it was necessary to write a new version based on actual reality. The stable element of the paper is the question what are links between listed above three elements: culture-cultural policy-management.

I am perfectly aware that the mentioned problem is very sophisticated but also extremely im-portant if we want to think seriously about culture as a basic element of local, regional or national identity. I realize as well that I am not the first who would like to find an answer for this challenging issue. I am also quite sure that given problem can’t be solved for us by even the greatest authorities from the West Europe or America, as it is our problem. Problem, which is rooted in our history, and in – shaped by it – our mentality. And it is, quite obviously, in many aspects completely different from the mentality of Americans, English – or Frenchmen.

One of such differences, and a basic one, is the facts that, at least in Poland, many people, many artists, still believe that even in the era of globalization, market economy and IT society, culture is able to defend itself by its traditional values. Market economy, commercialization are seen rather not as challenges the culture is confronted with, but as treads of dark, deprived from any values, devilish forces.

The Congress of Polish Culture 2000 declared: “The role of culture remains to serve values, to create patterns, guard ideals and imponderables, re-establish social, customary and moral norms, as well as artistic canons.[…] The Congress questioned the inevitability of total commercialization of culture, the omnipotence of marked forces and the domination of a cultural <industry>, as a chief regulators and determinants of its development. However, of secondary character for culture is the omnipresent cult of money and the dictates of commerce in the role of absolute <commercializa-tion of values>, which push the set of immeasurable values into background. We would prefer our the most prominent actors not to sell their faces to producers of aggressive commercial spots. We would like to express our opposition to cultural success, expressed in terms of viewing figures and numbers of recording sold.[…] The Congress of Polish Culture 2000 postulates that real values, their creators and works be expressed at a place where they will be the subject of public attention and social discernibility, dignity and prestige, and a source of authority on their own merits”.

Exactly in the same year “Agenda 2000” was published by the EU. In this document we can read that “culture has an important intrinsic role to all people in Europe” and such statement could be ac-cepted even in the context of previous quotations, if not following lines: “Culture is both economic factor and a factor in social integration and citizenship: for that reason, it has an important role to play in meeting the new challenges facing the Community, such as globalization, the information

society, social cohesion and the creation of employment” The document also stresses “development of common links between culture, cultural industries and employment”.

As we can see, there are two completely different options for culture: the first one stresses un-defined values, postulate undefined artistic standards and moral norms. The second one is based on such principles as social integration, creation of employment, which is seen in the scale of global society; also pay attention to economy. The consequences in both cases are quite logic and could be observed on different levels, starting from the names of ministries of culture.

In the first option choice was very limited and in recent years we had in Poland: Ministry of Culture and Art, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, Ministry of Culture and now again Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. As you can see, there are no links to education, sport, tourism, not to mention information society, culture industries, entertainment, or – God save – employment. There is not necessary to add that it is exactly in opposite to the situation in such countries as Great Britain, Finland, Denmark and many others with long tradition of civic society and democracy.

Such preferences and such location of the culture obviously bring serious consequences: iso-lated culture was usually the last on the list of the priorities and it was reflected in a budget of it, in Poland one of the lowest in Europe (for many years it was about 0.5 % of GNP).

The situation was so drastic that it was necessary to organize the next Congress of Polish Cul-ture which took place two years ago. The language used during this Congress was much closer to the language of Agenda 2000 then to the conclusions of previous Congress of Polish Culture 2000. So called “economic factor” was discuss quite openly, the new financial regulations for culture were proposed. However, traditional way of thinking was also so visible and strong enough that any basic reforms could not be introduced and we still have much more public theaters than we need, we still create new culture institutions paid from the budget, not paying attention who will pay for it. How-ever, it was postulate by the Congress that for the culture we need minimum 1% of GNP – when it could be achieved nobody knows.

The problem seems to be hidden somewhere in the lack of the reflection what the healthy rela-tions between three mentioned elements: culture-cultural policy-culture management, ought to be. If I am right saying so, we can’t do any step farther before discussing the definitions of them and the relations between them. It is not easy task, and there is not necessary to mention that in such basic debate should be involved academics from different fields (sociology, culture studies, economics, management, international studies, history, law – to name a few), also practitioners from culture administration and obviously the artists. And it is a big trap, as not only the artists have no common language with the other partners, but also the academics between themselves are not able to un-derstand each other. Management is still reserved for the economists; humanities have very limited contact with sciences, economy and management. The curse from Babel’s tower still works.

I am describing our middle-east-south-European reality. In America, Canada, Australia, also in the West-European countries with long tradition of civic societies such problems not exist as they pay a big attention to such institutions as “laboratories of culture” or “observatories of culture”. Those institutions function is to collect and to interpret the data which shows – what are the links between culture-employment and other areas of public life crucial to the creation of civic society. Sometimes such “observatories” could function even as a kind of the lobby groups; the best example

of it is the report “Arts Advocacy Day. The National Arts Action Summit” in which one could find such information as – for example – voting records in American Congress. Not having such “ob-servatories” or “laboratories” we can only guess what the real situation is and what are expectations towards the culture with its institutions. In our times there is not enough to repeat after the artists from the end of XIX century: “Art for art”.

It is time for our definitions. The Culture, The title of this paper, taken from St. Thomas Aqui-nus says simply “Genus humanum arte et ratione vivit. “Arte et ratione” – It means that the art and the rational procedures go together and that a certain harmony in ratio between them is expected. However, culture is not only the art. It is also a style of life characteristic for a given society. Style of life which includes everything what people do, think and possess (in sense of using certain patterns) as members of any social group. All this must be expressed in an institutional framework, which depends on the rules of cultural policy (or cultural policies: in scale of nation, region, local). With no such institutional/organizational framework it is not possible to speak about management.

It is quite easy to say so, but when we touch reality, things starts to be complicated. An example which illustrate one side of it is that after more than 20 years of radical changes in our part of the world (O. Bennett called them “seismic changes”) there is still not clear answers who we are, who we want to be. We have still a couple of options and two of them are the most popular:

– we are – as it was described by the Congress of Polish Culture 2000 – defenders of the values, what means: we are the Poles, we are the roman-catholic and consequently we are proud of being the winners of Vienna Battle with Turks which save the Europe (who quite soon accepted partitions of Poland by Austria, Prussia and Russia), we are proud of our numerous, unsuccessful uprisings against our oppressors. We are proud of being a part of Napoleon campaign against Russia. We are proud of being killed, because – as our national poet, Mickiewicz wrote – “my name is million, for I love and I suffer for millions” and “Po-land is the Christ of the nations”. Part of such philosophy is still visible even in our foreign policy.

– and there is the second option which accepts overwhelming Americanization, globaliza-tions and locate the culture somewhere between art-business-employment and omnipo-tent entertainment. In such model there is no room for national prophets, heroes; there is demands for those who are clever, flexible, and who can repeat after J.W.Goethe his ironic statement that theatre is nothing else but the business. “Shows must go”.

And, as you can see, there is not easy choice which line we ought to accept as our own. That heroic one, or – this much more popular now and let say, rational – based on constant negotiations, on economical arguments, on support of the development of civic societies, but deprived of the ele-ments which for centuries constituated our identity, usually limited to the framework of the nation.

You could ask – what is the link between culture and such highly political and global issues? The answer is very simple and surprisingly obvious. If the culture includes everything what people do, think and possess (in sense of using certain patterns), if it describes our identity, and gives the answer who we are, then everything these depends and is shaped by our choices based on the his-tory, tradition, customs, religion, etc. But in our time it is still not enough, as it must also reflect, present and express our feelings towards such situations as we are facing now in global village. And

now there is time for the next element of our puzzle – cultural policy.The culture, as it was said before, must be expressed in an institutional framework, which de-

pends on the rules of cultural policy (or cultural policies: in scale of nation, region, local). As a consequence of it, the cultural policy is or supposes to be, a very important instrument to create the whole system which will be able to create the art and to promote the culture. But the basic question still is – what kind of culture? And now let’s us imagine that we are in the position of a manager, who has to answer the primary question in management – what is the mission? What is the mission of our national, regional, local culture? What is the mission of any particular culture institution or organization? What is the mission of my organization?

The mission is based on values, so the problem is: what values from our traditional culture and our new art we want to support and to promote? And it is cultural policy. It is problem of choices. And I am not surprised that so many countries in our region of the world (including Poland) have no formally established cultural policy. We are still not ready and not able to decide who we are and who we want to be. What we should be proud of, or ashamed of, taking into account both: our his-tory and our current resources, also our position in the international and global context.

However, if you like it or not, there is no country without cultural policy. As Mark J. Schus-ter said: “whether or not it is considered appropriate to utter the word <cultural policy> in polite company, each society has one, and it ought to be make explicit so that we can all judge how we are doing”. Even in the countries who declare that they do not have official cultural policy (as the USA), such policy exist, because “Policy is the intentionality behind the collection of programs that are intended a particular set of outcomes”. “Policies may be explicit – in which case they should be able to be observed through existing documents – or implicit – in which case they should to be inferred from the statements and action of the agency”. Schuster’s experience was based on Canadian and American reality and it is not surprising that he speaks about “agencies” which are almost unknown in our system, but in general he is right – there is no state without cultural policy.

And now we are coming to the third part of our construction: culture-cultural policy-manage-ment. What is culture management? It could be regarded as subdiscipline of general management or even as a sub-subdiscipline of public management within general management. It does not mat-ter if we called it [as J. Pick and M. Anderton, 1996] administration, instead of management, arts instead of culture. The problem is – as a matter of fact – that we do not know what constitutes, and limits, specificity of the subject and methodology of management in humanities. We are not even sure if the management is fully shaped academic discipline at all and if it belongs to the family of sciences or humanities. More than 40 years ago “The Economist” wrote: “Management theory has not evolved into the world’s most rigorous or enticing intellectual discipline”. Since this time some changes took place, but not as visible, as we could expect. 10 years ago the Council of Europe has offered the Program for the Evaluation of National Cultural Policies which was bitterly summarized by M. J. Schuster: “the process may have had less of an impact on national cultural policies than might have been expected (or hoped for).” Why I stress so strongly the role of the cultural policy? Simply I see the cultural policy as a key element of the process of the management. It is role of cul-tural policy to create (on the base of precise data) the mission for culture, to identify resources and to identify the values. It means, to enable the managers to start any reasonable process of planning, working on strategies and so on.

The problem is serious, as we do not have (in Poland) real academic body which is competent both in management and in culture. It is enough to say that in the most prestigious academic insti-tution, the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Committee of Organization and Management is almost entirely dominated by the economists. There are not even representatives of law, computer science, international studies, culture studies etc. Such body could not be, and is not, interested in serious reflection on the values other than money. And it is not surprising that in his book “Epistemology in management sciences” Ł. Sułkowski concludes that the management as it is now, could not pre-tend to be an universal discipline. All that management created until now, is not coherent enough from the cognitive point of view; as it has not created any stable system of theory. It should be called rather as kind of eclectic mixture of few disciplines”.

There are, however, optimistic signals. In 2000 Huntington and Harrison had published the book “Culture matters. How Values Shape Human Progress” in which even such orthodox econo-mist as G. Sachs wrote: “economic growth is a result of numerous political, cultural and economic factors and it is inseparably link to the social institutions…”.In the “Harvard Business Reviews Peter F. Druker described “Management’s new role” in such words: “Management will have to be consid-ered as both a <science> and a <humanity>.”[…] “What management is and what managers do will therefore – and properly – increasingly become a matter of public concern rather than a matter for the <experts>. Management will increasingly be concerned as much with the expression of basic beliefs and values as with accomplishment of measurable results. It will increasingly stand for the quality of life of a society as for the standing of living”. It was in a year of 1969!

15 years ago, when we started to think at the Jagiellonian University about opening new in Poland studies in culture management we had to choose a program from the official obligatory list and we decided to open it within the program of “management and marketing”. Consequently – fol-lowing all quoted above suggestions – the academic staff consist the specialist from more than 10 disciplines. Unfortunately, obstruction from the economists was so strong, that after 10 years we had to transfer our culture management studies into program of the general “culture studies” trying still keep the balance between “arte et ratione”, between “basic beliefs and values” and “measurable results”. Actually we have a bit strange situation, as our B.A., M.A. and postgraduate studies end with the diploma of culture studies (culture management), but Ph.D., habilitation and professorship is granted in area of “Humanities, Management”. It is exactly the same problem which was observed by S. Reichert and Ch. Tauch in the document: “Trends IV. European Universities Implementing Bologna” [2005]: “Complains were voiced about the practice of prescribing a list of subjects in which programs can be offered or preventing interdisciplinary programs of being established because of accreditation committees’ disciplinary prejudices”. In this point it would be good to quote opinion of the well known economist – D. Throsby, who says: “In considering the relationship between economist and culture, or between the economy and the cultural system, or between the economic and cultural policy, I suggest the basic theoretical proposition, namely: that the economic impulse is individualistic, the cultural impulse is collective”.

And this quotation seems to be the best summary of the basic idea of my paper as it quite sim-ply shows the links between the elements which are crucial for our debate: culture-cultural policy-management.

Culture which is understand as everything what people think, do and possess (in sense of using

Cultural Management, Cultural Policy, Cultural

Tourism

yousef AlDabtiIndependent Scholar

Architecture and DesignDirectorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), Aleppo Museum

Syria

CULTURAL TOURISM ON THE EUPHRATES RENOvATION OF NAJM CASTLE AS A SCIENTIFIC CENTER FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

ON EUPHRATES CULTURES

Introduction67

Syria has one of the most ancient civilizations, and its cultural, historic, geographic, natural and strategic location make Syria one of the most important countries for cultural tourism. Castles and citadels are very important archaeological sites in Syria, attracting domestic and foreign visitors. Therefore, they should play an essential role for the development and encouragement of cultural tourism in the country.

Najm Castle (Qala’at Najm) is one of the most important Islamic medieval fortresses in the Eu-phrates basin; it defended against the Crusader invasion and supported the Muslim sultan’s troops (Zangid & Ayyubid / 11 – 12th century AD) attacking enemies on the northern frontiers (e.g. Byzan-tines and Crusaders). It was destroyed several times; consequently, many campaigns of reconstruc-tion, restoration and new buildings were conducted over time. Although the castle was badly af-fected by destructions, earthquakes and other crises, it still stands tall and has an impressive scenic location. As a result, Najm Castle was the most suitable site for a project of cultural tourism in the northern Euphrates valley from an architectural and archaeological point of view.

Cultural Tourism on the EuphratesThe Euphrates River has a 675km length in Syria. Starting at Jarablus (Karkamish) at the Syrian

Turkish border and finishing at AL.Bokamal at the Syrian Iraqi border, the valley has acquired spe-cial importance as a junction between Mesopotamia, Anatolia and the Mediterranean Sea.

Because of the strategic location of the Euphrates along the international caravan roads and good quality of soil and climate, numerous human settlements were established and flourished along the Euphrates floodplain since early history. As a result, many archaeologists and scholars have studied the history of this area.

Since antiquities are a human heritage issue, the Syrian government encouraged international institutions to undertake rescue excavations in the regions of strategic projects for constructing three dams (Tabqa – Tishrin-AL.Ba’ath) since 1969 until 1994.

Archaeological expeditions uncovered many important sites which witnessed the critical modi-fications (revolutions) of the human career since 12,000 years ago. These included the first farm-ing villages (agriculture, domestication animals, ceremonies, symbolism, art) (e.g. Murybet – Jerf Al.Ahmar – Tell Abr-3), followed by sites with newer human inventions like writing and pottery in the 6th – 4th millennium BC (Tell Qarah Quzak – Tell Amarneh – Tell Sheokh Foqani). The region also saw the first steps of urbanization and city states ( Mari – Emar) in the 3rd – 1st millennium BC, with

67 This paper was edited by prof .Glenn Schwartz

human life continuing from later periods (Iron Age – Classic periods – Islamic Phases) until now. Consequently, we can confirm that: “the real civilized identity of the ancient world has emerged from Euphrates cultures since early history of humanity”.

It will be very important to introduce these sites and facts to people, in an elaborated strategy for cultural tourism in the Euphrates valley. This strategy should be a crucible of antiquities, land-scapes, and culture combined with achievement (information, joy, harmony).The Najm Castle Project

• LocationNajm Castle is located on the right bank of Euphrates River, to the north –east of the city of

Manbij (about 29 km / 110 km from Aleppo). The castle was constructed on a limestone hill to control and dominate the main crossing point of Euphrates in this region for all caravan roads from the northern Levant and northern Mesopotamia and Harran / Edessa68. Some scholars relate this fortress to a strategic crossing point formed by two small islands enabling the construction of a pontoon bridge69.

• Historic SurveyChronicles mention a fortress called Caeceliana during the Roman period (2nd century AD)70.

After the Muslim conquest in (639 AD), Arabic referances referred to a famous bridge at the site called Jsr Manbij (or JSR Sanja). Built by the Caliph Osman Ibn Affan, the bridge was a strategic crossing point for the conquest of Mesopotamia by the Muslim army, according to Arab historians71.

During the Abbasid dynasty( 8th century AD), the famous Arabic chronicle Ibn Shaddad men-tioned that Najm castle was built by the prince Najm ( man of Al.Jin Al.Safawani) )72. After the Abbasids, the castle was ruled by Hamdanid princes (9-10th century AD) and Murdas princes, but during the first half of 11th century AD, it was commanded by Sultan Nuraddin Zangi, who rebuilt the castle and all its fortifications. Consequently, it was called the new fortress ( Alhsn Aljadeed )73. However, the most important architectural achievement was by the Ayyubid king AL.Zaher Gazi74 ( the second half of 12th century AD), who applied the main concepts of the defense system of Ayyu-bid fortifications (e.g. entrance tower – curtain walls – defense towers).

In 1216 AD, the castle was commanded by the prince Badr Addin Edamur who built the mosque nearby, its ruins still standing75. Earthquakes damaged the castle several times, especially in 1157AD, but the worst crisis was by the Mongol invasion of Hulagu (1259 AD). After this, the importance of Najm Castle declined. In 1837 AD76, the Ottoman army bombarded the castle with heavy guns to strike at Bedouin tribes which had settled there. It was then destroyed and abandoned completely.

68 Edessa : Al.Ruha ( Urfa/ Turkey)69 Idem.G, Crossing Euphrates from the region of Najm Castle, and the reflections on some trans Euphrates routes,

les annales Archeologiques arabes Syriennes, (DGAM) vol.XL.III. Damascus199970 Zakaria.A.W, AL.Mashahed & AL.Athar fi Bilad Alsham .pp348-350 ,(second edition) Damascus 200871 AL.Balazri, Fotoh AL.Bbuldan. P150 , Egypt 190172 Ibn Shaddad, AL.A’alaq AL.Khateera , vol I chapter2, pp472-476, publications of the ministry of culture, Damascus

200673 Ibn Shaddad, AL.A’alaq AL.Khateera , vol I chapter2, pp472-476, publications of the ministry of culture, Damascus

200674 Al.Zaher Gazi(1186 AD) was the son of the sultan Saladdin, the conqueror of Jerusalem .75 This mosque was built on remains of a church dated to the 6th century AD. The archaeological site will be involved

in the renovation of the neighboring antiquities of Najm Castle.76 Zakaria.A.W, AL.Mashahed & AL.Athar fi Bilad Alsham .pp348-350 ,(second edition) Damascus 2008

The Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in Aleppo (DGAM) has controlled the castle since 1976 and began projects for restorations and preservations.

Many of geographers and travelers visited and described the castle, including Ibn Jubair AL.Andalusi who mentioned the castle and the settlement around (Rabad)77 and Yaqut Al.Hamwi (the traveler), who described the location of the castle near the bridge of Munbij (Jsr Sanja)78.

Many archaeological and architectural investigations were conducted at the castle by scholars like Gertrude Bell79, Sinkler, and a Spanish Mission.80

The last formal studies and documentations were made by a Syrian – French Mission in 2005-200681.

• Description: Plan of the castleNajm Castle is erected on limestone hill 380 m high. The castle seems in harmony between its

perspective and the natural landscape around it. Its plan is extended longitudinally (E-W), with pyramidal and prism defense towers extended along the perimeter of the huge curtain walls. All towers had arrow slits in two or three levels82. The buildings and sections had two floors, except for he arsenal masonry (Zardakhaneh) built in three floors; the masonry is extensive in plan and perspective83.

The main two prominent defense towers enclose a small space in front of the main gate, which was located laterally and open to the entrance hall (Bashoura)84. The gate was protected by many of arrow slits and brattices. Two accesses begin from this hall, the first one leading to the defense towers and the storerooms behind. All are spread along the western and northern sides, with the second access slightly short. The latter leads to the civilian part represented by the complex of palace and bath (Hammam). This complex85 was concentrated at the most protected corner (south west)86.

The first floor contains a mosque, the officers’ residence, the arsenal and some accessory struc-tures. In this level, most of the defense towers are heavily destroyed and collapsed.

The castle is surrounded by a ditch carved completely in the rock; also, we can recognize evi-dently the glacis (slope paved by polished stones), structural arrangements common in Ayyubid fortifications.

The main architectural concepts of the Ayyubid fortifications are visible in Najm Castle as in other castles and citadels ( e.g. Aleppo – Harem – Harran ), represented by the main defense struc-tures and elements (ditch – glacis – entrance tower – Bashuora – arsenal ). However, we can see

77 Ibn Jubair AL.Andalusi, AL.Rahhalah, pp310-392 78 AL.Hamwi.Yaqut, Mua’jam Al.Buldan, book(7,8) p1579 G.L.Bell, Amurath to Amurath, pp23-33, London 191180 Gonzalez.B.A, Matilla.S.G, ANTIGUEDAD Y CRISTIANISMO XV, pp437-463, Universidad De Murcia81 This mission was directed by (Syrian side) : Architect : Yousef Al.DABTIi , and (French side): Cyril Yovichtich and

French team (Nicholas Potoeu – Perek Lablank- Juslan Martenier – Chenzia Tafarnari). The mission (2005-2006) made plans and sections in the castle and performed preliminary architectural and archaeological analyses.

82 AL.Dabti.Y,The preliminary report of the Syrian-French archeological mission at Najm Castle, DGAM 200683 AL.Dabti.Y, Najm Castle is unique pattern of Ayyubid fortification at Euphrates river, Adiyat Halab , vol XIII

.pp136-158, Aleppo University 200984 Bashoura: is an inherited architectural arrangement meaning “the decline entrance” (the word is originally Per-

sian).85 It is known that most of the Ayyubid castles and citadels have this kind of complex (palace-Hammam) as in Ha-

rem, Aleppo, Madiq , Saladdin,Harran, but the differences between these complexes are in size and some details86 AL.Dabti.Y, Najm Castle is unique pattern of Ayyubid fortification at Euphrates river, Adiyat Halab , vol XIII pp.

136-158, Aleppo University 2009

some formal differences, such as polygonal towers in Harran Castle87 but square or rectangular in the citadels of Aleppo and Harem.88 The style of towers is mixed in Qala’at Najm with both rectan-gular and polygonal.

It is notable that most of the Ayyubid Sultans and princes left their fortifications in the northern Levant to serve as witness of the high standard of conceptions and techniques. This can be seen in Najm Castle, which contained luxury civilian architecture represented by the royal palace and bath. Critically, the castle functioned as the main logistical support for the loyal tribes in this region, in addition to dominating and protecting the strategic Euphrates crossing point via the bridge89.Importance of the Project

• Scientific and Cultural ImportanceBecause the Euphrates regions are the richest in Syria from the archaeological, historical and

cultural points of view, many archaeological expeditions have worked there since the early 20th cen-tury (e.g. Mari90, Doura Europos91), with important results concerning Syrian history and humanity in general92.

The excavations have increased because of strategic projects on the Euphrates river represented by constructing three dams93, with the result that many rescue excavations were conducted.

Many important sites were uncovered and showed that Euphrates witnessed critical changes in human history94.

As a huge number of archaeological materials were uncovered, many of these important objects and pieces were transferred to the museums ( Damascus – Aleppo – Der Azzor) for displaying or storing, but, unfortunately a large number of objects (pottery and ceramic artifacts – fragments of stone artifacts) were badly stored in rooms or houses, some collapsing and destroying the materi-als. Sometimes potsherds were simply buried in the ground. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity

87 Hanisch.H, Die Ayyubischen Wehhranlogen der Zitadellen von Harran Und Damaskus,ein vergleich, OLA 102,Louvian, 2001

88 Gelichi.S, Castello Di Harim, Archeologia Medievale, XXX 2003, pp431-452 …….AL.Dabti.Yousef, Harem Cita-del-Historic and archaeological study review, Adiyat Magazine, pp 38-50, Aleppo, 2007

89 Yovichtich. C, QAL’AT NAJM (citadel – palace ) –p102,103 – A Shared Mediterranean Heritage Fortifications at the Time of the Crusades – ICOMOS – France 2008

90 Mari was one of the first excavated sites by French archaeologist Andre Parrot , started in 1933 , who said “Every-one in the world has two homes, one he lives in and Syria”. The excavations unearthed a very important city state (Mari 3rd – 2nd millennium BC ), with the royal palace containing more than 10000 cuneiform tablets ( the royal archive) , much critical information about Mari and the neighboring states in Mesopotamia and Levant, and many details about the daily life (religion – politics – economy).

Parrot.A, Mari, translated by: Rabah Naffakh, publications of the ministry of culture , Damascus 1979.91 An archaeological mission from Yale University directed by Henry.F.Pearson in 1932 discovered a, very important

and unique synagogue in the city; it was removed and reconstructed in the National Museum of Damascus. (Pearson.F.H, A guide to the Synagogue of Doura- Europos, publications du musee national de Damas, Beyrouth 1939. Leriche.P, Archaeologie et Patrimoine a’ Doura Europos.Ducuments, D’Archaeoloie Syrienne XI , pp330-350, Damascus 2007).

92 The first Dam (Tabqa) was constructed between ( 1964-1973). The first survey, performed by Maurits Van Loon, showed more than 60 sites in the Tabqa reservoir would be covered by the contemporary lake (Al.Assad lake). Loon.V.M, The Tabqa Reservoir Survey 1964, DGAM, Damascus .1967.

93 The three dams on the Euphrates are Tabqa, Tishrin, and Al.Ba’ath. The rescue excavations at these regions uncov-ered many archaeological sites, tracing history from the 10th millennium BC until Islamic phases.

94 Murybet: is one of the most important discoveries of the rescue excavations at Tabqa Dam, this site was excavated by French archaeologist Jacques Cauvin. The uncovered antiquities showed a critical phase for humanity, with the first steps of architecture and domestication of plants and animals, as well as the first traces of human art and mythology. Cauvin, .J, Villages of Farmers in Levant, translated by: Qasim Tweer , 1996

to find a place for preserving shards and all other materials, so that scholars will be able to see and study these objects. A good meeting point will be in Najm Castle ( the scientific archeological re-search center).Given the previous points, the Najm Castle project seeks the following:1- Ensure good places for preserving the archeological materials, with standard storage systems

(ventilation, lighting, shelving system), and a digital archiving system.2- Constitute a scientific research center specialized in Euphrates cultures; it will be involved in

the strategy of DGAM to establish regional archaeological Research Centers95.3- Supporting direct scientific contact between archaeologists which are specialists in the Euphra-

tes region by meeting and working in the same place (Najm Castle)4- Defining Euphrates archaeological sites during all periods and phases by methodological ap-

plications in information and illustrations.5- Popularizing knowledge about Euphrates history and communicating results from archaeologi-

cal sites through publications, lectures, and workshops.6- Defining very important archaeological sites which are covered by the lakes.7- Standardizing the concepts of antiquities protection and communicating them to the people in

the region96.• Touristic ImportanceTouristic activities or facilities are rare in this region (restaurants – coffee shops – recreation

centers). The landscape of Najm Castle is a unique site for these activities because of its natural and archaeological attributes. Consequently, it will be an essential factor for the development of both types of tourism (cultural and relaxation). The project will target the following:1- Creating a touristic point for local people and foreigners2- Supporting cultural tourism in the region for local people by creating activities for fun and

education3- Increasing the number of foreign tourists; statistics show that most foreign tourist (almost 80%)

are coming for cultural tourism in Syria (history – archaeological sites – traditions – religions)4- Supporting the governmental strategies for sustaining cultural tourism in Syria by linking the

project of Najm Castle with other archaeological parks in northern Syria (Dead Cities97) and the Al.Djazeera area (regions of Al.Khabour River)98.

95 DGAM established a new archaeological center for Orontes basin cultures in 2007. It was constituted at Almishrfe near Qatna, one of the most important archaeological sites in the middle region of Syria during the Bronze Age. Al.Maqdisi.M, Pfalzner.P, Bonacossi . D.M, Treasures of Ancient Syria – Discovery of Qatna kingdom, DGAM & Landes museum Wurttemberg 2010.

96 This arrangement should forge a relationship between the archaeological sites and the people who live in the neighboring regions by linking them with their history, their culture, and their identity and bringing material benefits as well.

97 The parks of the north west of Syria contain three regions : 1- Djabal Al.Zawie (Serjilla- Bara- Ruwieha …..) 2- Dja-bal Al.Ala (Qalb Lozeh – Qirq Bizeh ….) 3- Djabal Sema’an (St.Simion – Basufan- Khrab Shams – Rfadeh – Qatura ..) these sites are classical sites ( Roman & Byzantine) dated to the 1st -6th century AD, and many are registered by UNESCO as a world heritage sites.

98 The park of Aljazeera contains the renovation of many archaeological sites in the north east of Syria ( Khabour River region); the main sites are ( Tell Mozan – Tell Halaf – Tell Lilan – Tell Beyder / Stevens.A, Architecture De Terre. Preservation De Nabada(Tell Beyder), D’Archaeoloie Syrienne XI , pp295-316, Damascus 2007) . Mostly, they are dated to the 3rd – 2nd millennium BC ( city states phases). This project will be undertaken by Syria ( rep-resented by the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums DGAM) and the European Union, it agreed in September

5- Ensure new attractive touristic programs for the agencies which are still marketing and selling the same classic programs for cultural tourism99 for many years, encouraging new tours(panoramic tours by boat in one or two days – including scientific visits to archaeological sites – which became islands after the formation of the lake100 – enjoying marvelous natural landscapes and ecology101…….).

6- Defining the local culture and traditions of contemporary domestic communities of the Eu-phrates regions overall and the communities near Najm Castle in particular.

7- Broadening the horizons of local people by direct contact with different foreign cultures of the tourists.

8- Creating a new concept of cultural tourism in Syria represented by Cultural Tourism by boat on the Euphrates.

10-Increasing touristic activities at the site will enhance the infrastructure and governmental sus-tainable development.The last time the Ministry of Tourism exposed many lands on the flooding of Euphrates for

touristic investments, the most important site was nearby Shash Hamdan102 which is located to the south of Najm Castle ( 40km)103.

• Economic Importance Rural communities in the Najm Castle region are relatively poor, with agriculture and grazing

are the main sources for living. As the incomes are few, many people – especially young persons – migrate to the cities (Manbij – Aleppo) for jobs. Consequently, the Euphrates region has suffered from bad economic conditions for two decades. It is necessary to find a strategy for sustainable de-velopment by investments and projects which ensue job chances for local inhabitants and reducing unemployed people.

The project of Najm Castle will be useful – from the economic point of view – because of the following points:1- Governmental incomes from the visitor entrance fees.2- Tentative whacks during the implementations of the project (restorations – renovations).3- Permanent official whacks in the castle itself (supervisors – guardians – employees – workers)4- The touristic activities and services (by the private sector) will employ a large number of local

2010.99 The classic touristic programs are based on the most famous sites ( Palmyra – Damascus – Aleppo – Krak De

Chavaliers). Some programs include Euphrates sites like Mari and Doura Europos, but these visits are still unable to present a broad picture on the history of Euphrates cultures. Furthermore, the infrastructure at these sites is still primitive, and their presentation is not methodical or scientific .

100 Some sites became islands like ( Tell Qara Quzak) or a peninsula like ( Tel Alqusq) which are located to the east and north east of Najm Castle.

101 During a tour by boat on the Euphrates, we can see small fluvial gulfs (Hawija) along the flooding of the river, which have a special landscape and special kinds of animals, birds, and fish.

102 Shsh Hamdan is a unique archaeological site with a rare Roman “tomb temple” dated to the 2nd century AD. It has more than 50 relief statues and diagrams representing human, zoomorphic and vegetal figures, showing mytho-logical expressions of the so called Manbijian Culture …… Clarke.G, Who Built Shsh Hamdan Tomb ?, Mediter-ranean Archaeology vol. 11, 1988

103 The project of restoring and renovating Shash Hamdan Tomb was prepared by Syrian staff from Aleppo Museum (Architect: Yousef Al.Dabti & archaeologist : Thaer Yartah) in 2010. All the studies were achieved and the first arrangement (protection) was implemented. AL.Dabti,Yousef, The preliminary report for excavations and restora-tion study of Shash Hamdan Tomb, DGAM, 2010

people.5- Tourism will encourage other investments (agricultural – handcraft workshops) and involve all

levels of local communities which are expert in these fields.6- The economic development of the Najm castle region will positively affect neighboring areas,

providing a good support for revenue.The project aims to modify the governmental focus on archeological sites from consumer into

producer104.Main Attractive Factors of Touristic Investments1- The natural landscape of the castle and lake2- The architectural and archaeological importance of the castle itself3- Many important archaeological sites near the castle4- Vicinity to the highway of Al.jazeera and the main crossing point of the Euphrates ( Qara Qu-

zak bridge), the main strategic point of northeastern Syria.5- Central location between two border points with Turkey (Tell Abyad – Jarablus).6- Najm Castle is located between two archeological parks in the north of Syria (Dead Cities –

Al.Djazeera Park).7- Availability of good lands around the castle for touristic investments on both banks of the lake.8- Availability of cheep local labor force.9- Earthen architecture of domed villages at the site, providing a view of traditional architecture.10-The castle has a starting point location for boat tours in the lake between the bridge of Qara

Quzak and Tishrin dam. It is also located in the archeological park between the Castle and Aroda105, in addition to providing overland trips between the two sites.

11-Local public heritage and traditions (inherited Euphrates traditions).12-The infrastructure at the site is good (roads – electricity – water – ).

Main Strategies of Restoration and Renovation- First stage

1- Restorations for structures under renovation (stables – stores – )2- Structural restorations for the masonry of the arsenal / Zardakhaneh .3- Renovation of the entrance square4- Preparing access of visitors with all accessory services ( safety settings – plates for guiding – la-

bels ..)5- Massive implementations for renovation storages ( shelving system – classificatory equipments-

fire alarm system …)6- Preparation the department of scientific research (searching room – library ….)

104 Normally, budgets are spent for restoration and preservation in archeological sites, yet most of these sites don’t re-ceive many visitors or tourists. Therefore, the government considers these sites to be consumers ( out of scientific and cultural considerations). However, when the budgets are spent for restoration and renovation of some sites and many tourists come, we will acquire new income and the sites will become producers.

105 Aroda : very important archaeological site, dated back to Uruk period (4th millennium BC). It witnessed the first steps of a counting system and official taxation of trade between Mesopotamia and the upper Euphrates regions. The site has the oldest temple in Syria, from 3200BC. It is 45 m south of Najm Castle along the Euphrates. This site is under a restoration and site management project by the staff of Aleppo Museum (AL.Dabti Yousef, Project of restoration the temple of Aroda, DGAM, 2007).

7- Renovation of multimedia hall8- Setting up complete infrastructure (electricity – water – drainage system – communication

network – …..)9- Comprehensive implementations for the Euphrates Hall (Euphrates Museum).-Second Stage1- Resuming restorations in the rest of the castle2- Constructing service center for visitors near the castle ( ticketing – bookshop – various services

– parking)3- Renovation of the area near the castle moat ( landscaping)4- Renovation of the neighboring bank of the lake for public tourism5- Constructing restaurant on the bank of the lake with small port for the boats of boat tours6- Restoration and renovation of abandoned houses near the castle106 for the accommodation of

scholars and official staff.The Current Structural Statement

1- Most of the ground floor’s structures are stable2- Many structures in the first floor have many problems (collapsing roofs – subsiding – destructions –

…) especially in the mosque, the officer residence and the towers.3- The arsenal is stable, except for destruction in the vaulted roof.4- Destruction of some parts of the external facades of towers and curtain walls.5- The moat/ditch is in good condition , but there is a large mound of debris inside in it6- The glacis is stable also, but many of the paved areas are displaced.The Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM)in Aleppo did restoratio work in

the castle from 1974 to 2007107.Methodological Basics of Restoration

• Preservation of the archeological and architectural identity of the castle• Reserving a slight contrast between the restorations and the original parts108

• All restorations must be implemented by original raw materials and traditional methods• No adding of constructions or fixed elements in the castle• Applying traditional raw materials in cladding floors, roofs and walls (stone tiles – tradi-

tional plaster – traditional pointing ….)Methodological Basics of the Archeological & Architectural Studies of the Scheme

• As-Built plans of the castle are the main base of the architectural proposal without any in-terventions.

• Compatibility between the current plan of the halls and all lines of designs ( decoration – furniture …)

106 The village of Najm Castle was completely abandoned and covered by the lake. A few traditional houses are still standing in front of the northern slope of the castle and are suitable for all staff in charge of the project. At the end of the project they will provide a good residence for scholars, archeologists and specialists who are staying and working in the castle or the scientific center. But the main attractive point is: these houses -after restoration and renovation- will preserve the site memory of the sunken village ( Najm).

107 These restorations unearthed many buildings and preserved good structural statement in the castle (walls- roofs- floors).

108 Normally, a sharp contrast between restored and original architecture is undesirable, it being better to design new elements to be in compatability with the original. A slight contrast allows the viewer to distinguish between re-stored and original architecture.

• Creation of an interactive atmosphere between the visitors and the castle through some activities (multi media room – museum).

• Ensure simple and safe access for visitors in two levels• Using light materials (wood – steel structure)• Modern lighting system• Methodology to communicate information during the tour• Diffusing rest elements along tour accesses• Setting up mobile decoration and furniture• Applying all comprehensive requests for site management projects, this arrangement should

provide a model for this kind projects, especially involvcing castles and citadelsMaster Plan1- Plaza of the main entrance2- Ticketing3- Scientific research department4- Storage rooms5- TV show room6- Euphrates hall ( Euphrates Museum)7- ServicesEuphrates Museum

• Main Basics of Design1- Simple movement of the visitor2- Separation between display sections and information corner3- Simple lines and shapes for all designs (showcases – decorations – furniture)4- Breaking arrangement by partitions and pavilions for display system5- Attraction and surprise factors in the plan and interior perspective.6- Applying mobile items in decorations, showcases and all furniture7- Using simple materials (stones – wood – steel)8- Applying specific and modern lighting system for the building itself, showcases and all decora-

tive items9- Contrast between the displayed items and backgrounds10-Elaborated colors in comprehensive harmony11 – Different methods for display system109.

• Methodological Basics of the Scenario of the Museological Display System1- Defining the geological specifications of the Euphrates river2- Defining all the archeological sites chronologically, as follows:A- Prehistoric sites: – PPNA sites110: these sites witnessed the first steps of domestication of plants

and animals111, architecture, arts and mythology. The most important sites are (Murybet112 – Jerf

109 This is by making architectural models of various materials ( mudbricks- stones – wood – plexiglass).110 PPNA : Pr-pottery Neolithic A 9500 – 8700 BC111 Platburg.E, Wasse.A, Levant Supplementary Series – Neolithic revolution, 2005112 Murybet : excavated by Jacques Cauvin (Cauvin.J, Villages of Farmers in Levant, translated by: Qasim Tweer ,

Damscus 1996

AL-Ahmar113 – Tell Abr-3114 …)-PPNB sites115: the most important sites are ( Dja’de EL-Mugara116 – Tell Al-Qusq ……)

B – Early villages of Farmers (6th millennium BC): these sites witnessed critical development. The Neolithic settlements became villages and had a real economic, social, religious and cultural fabric.117 The most important sites (Buqrus– Abu Hurerah118…)

C- Chalcolithic period (5th – 4th millennium BC):this period has many cultures(Uruk – Ubaid). Uruk culture is dated to the 4th millennium BC, during which time the temple economy ap-peared and a new system for recording started. The most important sites (Aroda119 – Halula120 – Tell Abr-1 …..).

D- Bronze Ages ( EBA-MBA-LBA121): this period witnessed development of city states122 (Mari – Emar123 – Tell Bazi124 – Tutul125 – Tell Mumbaqa126….)

E- Iron Age127: Hittite & Aramaic culture, the most important sites (Carchemish 128 – Tell Ahmar/ Barseb129 ….)

A- Classic Periods130 ( 333 BC – 638 AD) :

113 Jerf AL-Ahmar : excavated by Daniel Stordeur & Bassam Jamous (Stordeur.D, Jamous.B, Jerf AL-Ahmar, Archeol-ogy of the upper Syrian Euphrates – The Tishrin Dam Area, proceedings of the international symposium held at Barcelona ,1998 pp57-94.

114 Tell Abr-3: excavated by Thaer Yrtah ( Yartah.T, Tell Abr-3 a village from ninth millennium B.C, a symbolic and agricultural revolution, Raising Syria n5 August / September, p617, 2004 & Yartah.T, Tell Abr-3Les Batiments com-munataries de Tell Abr-3 (PPNA.Syrie),NEOLITHICES, vol 105/pp38.

A typical Neolithic house from Tell Abr-3 will be built in the outdoor section of the museum, showing all details concerning constructions of Neolithic housed ( floors – walls – roof).

115 PPNB : Pr-pottery Neolithic B 8700 – 8200 BC116 Coqueugniot.E, Dja’de EL-Mugara 2008,Chronique Archeologique en Syrie, vol 4 pp 51-57, DGAM, 2010117 These sites showed a strong cultural unity between Mesopotamia, Levant and Anatolia. 118 Moore.A, M.Hillman.G.C, Village on The Euphrates, From Foraging to Farming at Abu Hreyra, Oxford University

Press 2000119 Aroda: Two Uruk temples were built in Aroda dated to 3200BC, they are the oldest temples in Syria. Now, we are working on a project of restoring the temple of Aroda and the site under the strategy of Euphrates

cultural tourism …. Yartah.T, Al-Dabti.y, The preliminary report of Syrian – Japanese team in Aroda , Directorate of Aniquities and Museums of Aleppo, 2010..

120 Molist.M, Aports A’L’Etode La Periode Neolitique A’, la Valle De L’Euphrate (Syrie), sai Son De Fouilles Tell Halula En 2008, Chronique Archeologique en Syrie, vol 4 pp 341-345, DGAM, 2010

121 The Bronze Age is divided into three periods : 1- Early Bronze Age (EBA) / 2400-2100 BC 2- Middle Bronze Age I & II(MBA)/2100-1400 BC 3- Late Bronze Age (LBA) /1400-1100 BC.

122 During this period we can see real concepts and features for cities and kingdoms, an elaborated urban planning system (surrounding defense walls – streets – acropolis – pace – temples), and features of urbanization, including the very important invention of writing.

123 Emar : was excavated bythe French archaeological mission (1971-1976) directed by J.Margueron. More than 1200 tablets in the Akkadian language were unearthed, with important documents about the city state of Emar in all fields ( policy-religion- economy), but the most important tablets had literature and mythological texts …. Fleming.E.D, The Installation of Baa’l’s priestess at Emar, Harvard Semitic Studies 42, 1992

124 Einwag.B, Otto.A, Excavations at Tell Bazi 2008,Chronique Archeologique en Syrie, vol 4 pp171-174, DGAM, 2010

125 Tutul (Tell AL.Bia’a) :Strommenger.E,Kohlmeyer, Tall Bi’a/Tutul- Altorientalischen Bestattungen ,WVDOG 96,Saarbrucken,1998

126 Werner.P, Tell Mumbaqa , Bronze Site in Syrien, Monster 1988127 Iron Age (1100-600 BC)128 Woolley.L, Carchemish II, The Town Defence, London 1921….. Woolley.L, Carchemish, London 1932129 Bonnens.G, Site Hierarchy in Tishrin Dam Area and third millennium Geopolitics in Northern Syria , Levant

Supplementary Series. Vol V , pp43-50, Oxford 2007130 Classical periods started with the conquest of Alexander the Great ( 333BC) after defeating the Persian king Darius

in the battle of Issus.

1- Hellenistic: /333 – 64 BC131/ …. the most important sites ( Doura Europos – Djabal Khaled …..)2- Roman / 64 BC – 311 AD ( 311 AD: constitution of Milan): most important sites (Shash Ham-

dan – Serrin …)3- Byzantine: 311 – 638 AD/ (638 AD the Muslim Conquest of Syria and Euphrates) … the most

important sites (Amarneh – Halabia & Zalabia132 – Naquta133 …)B- Islamic Periods ( 638 – 1516 AD134): the most important sites (Balis135-Raqq – Ayyash-Ja’aber

castle-AL-Rahbeh castle-Najm castle ..)3- Set up pavilion for the medieval Islamic fortifications on the Euphrates ( Najm – Jaaber – AL–

Rahbeh )4- Ensure a special section for the rescue excavations: Rescue excavations are a special type of

archaeological field work, because of time constraints and other difficulties, so it will be very important to show this kind of work and the daily life of the work team, and to focus on all ar-cheologists who uncovered these sites, cultures and civilizations136.

Conclusion

Since the cultural heritage of the Euphrates regions is not only represented by archaeological and historical monuments but also concerns the natural and ecological landscape (mountains – for-ests – lakes), in addition to a public cultural reserve of local traditions ( customs – beliefs – myths –crafts – arts), all these elements are attractive for touristic activities.

The project of cultural tourism development in the Euphrates region in general – and the project of Najm Castle in particular – is one of the integral and comprehensive projects of cultural tourism, integrating touristic factors and cultural heritage, and it will serve perfectly for prospective touristic activities and projects. As a result, the economy of the local communities will be supported, and the social situation will be improved through sustainable development.

The project of Najm Castle depends on integration, compatibility and balance between the cur-rent condition and the renovation plans, preserving the archaeological, architectural and historical identity of the castle while ensuring all services and settings for the new activities and functions in the castle. The cultural and scientific activities in the castle will promote archaeological work in the Euphrates area, and the prospective research in the scientific center will be very important and useful.

131 64BC: the year of the conquest of Syria and Euphrates by the Roman leader Pompey.132 Bletry.S, Showhan.Y, La Campagn 2008 A’Zenobia & Halabiye, Chronique Archeologique en Syrie, vol 4 pp 267-

273, DGAM, 2010133 AL.DAbti.Y, Discovery of the Monastery of Qinnesrin, Mahd AL.Hadarat, vol II pp 83-99 , DGAM,vol II,2007134 Islamic periods (638 - 1916 AD )are divided in many phases and dynasties : Omayyads – Abbasids – Seljuks – Zan-

gids – Ayyubids – Mumluks – Ottomans ( 1516 – 1916 AD) the most important sites ( Balis – Raqqa ….) And the medieval Islamic centuries are (11th – 15th centuries...)

135 Balis: an early islamic site, excavated by Thomas Leisten. Many monuments were discovered (mosque-palace-hammam – houses workshops), mostly they are dated back to early Islamic phases (Umayyad & Abbasid/8th-9th century AD). Also, some monuments were uncovered and dated to late Islamic phases (Ayybids&Mumluks/11th -14th century AD…

136 It is very important to display some photos of the excavations during the discovery to remind people about these sunken antiquities, encouraging them to learn the story of the discovered and displayed objects.

The project of Najm Castle is a methodological trial for creating a statement of balance and compatibility among many targets ( cultural – Touristic – economic) and should provide a model for developing other castles and citadels in Syria for research and tourism.

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Illustrations

Fig-1: Map of Ayyubid castles and Citadels at the north of Syria and Euphrates

Fig-2: Najm Castle – Arial view

Fig-3: Najm Castle – Landscape

Fig-4, 5: Najm Castle (ground floor – first floor)

Fig-6: Section (E – W)

Fig-7: Arsenal (Euphrates Museum) – Interior view before restorations

Fig-8: Archaeological parks at the north of Syria

Fig-9: Master Plan (project of Renovation Najm castle )

Fig-10: 3D Modelling ( Main entrance & Landscape)

Fig-11: Scientific Research Department – Details

Fig-12: Euphrates Museum – Plan

Fig-13 : Euphrates Museum – Section B.B

Fig-14: Interior Perspective – Bronze period & Iron Age Section

Fig-15: Interior Perspective I – Classic & Islamic Section

Fig-16: Executive plans – showcases (sw2)

yousef ALDABTI (Born 1/1/1975, Harem – Idleb – Syria) – Architect and Archeologist

Yousef ALDABTI graduated from the faculty of architecture in Aleppo University in 1999, in 2005 received diploma in archeology from the insti-tute of Arabic heritage science in Aleppo University .

He started working officially in the Directorate of Antiquities and Mu-seums ( DGAM) in Aleppo, he worked in a lot of archeological expeditions and participated in these missions as a member, field director and director at

many of different places and sites at the north of Syria ( Tell Qaramel – Hadir Qinnesrine – Aleppo Citadel – Harem Citadel …) also, he has excavated at many of archeological sites at Euphrates re-gions ( Monastry of Qinnesrine – Najm castle – Shash Hamdan – Aroda ……) and many of the sites at the middle regions of Syria ( Masyaf Castle – Tell AL.wardeyat – Rusafeh Castle).

In the same time he has studied and supervised many of projects in the field of restoration and renovation the ancient buildings in the old city of Aleppo (The old city wall at Bab AL.Faraj – Dar

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Rajab Basha – Dar Hamid Basha Qatragasi – Hammam ALNhhasine – AL.Shibani Church …….)In 2007 became director of Aleppo Citadel and then he had new position as a head of museum

development department in 2008. He undertook a course in Museum Management and Develop-ment in Japan /2008.

In the field of the museums, he has designed and supervised many projects in different regions and cities of Syria ( Aleppo Museum – Hama Museum – AL.Maarra Museum – Raqa Museum ……. ), in addition to, new ongoing projects in Aleppo ( The Museum of the History of Arabic Sci-ence and Medicine – The Ottoman Museum of Aleppo).

In the field of tourism, he undertook a course in Agent Tourism Management /2006, then, an-other course in Touristic Guiding /2010.

He has many studies and researches in the field of Cultural Tourism and Cultural Manage-ment in Syria especially at Euphrates regions. Member in the committee of engineers in Aleppo since 1999, and member of the Arab archeologists union since, and the association of Archeology in Aleppo since 2005, and he participated in many of the international conferences in the field of archeology and architecture (conference of Mediterranean Fortifications / Syria 2007 – conference of Museums in transition / Turkey 2009 – international Symposium of Mosaic Corpus of Turkey / 2010).