Situated near Bab EI-Faraj, the Aleppo Museum contains collections of antiques unearthed in northern Syria, from
the Mediterranean (Ras Shamra-Ugarit) to the middle Euphrates, near the point where the river flows into Iraq Tell
Hariri-Mari). Many important works coming from this area are exhibited in the National Museum of Damascus, such
as the status of a seated woman, but most are to be seen here unless they have been sent on exhibition abroad.
The Aleppo Museum is as important as the one in Damascus, and you can spend wonderful moments in the company of
such masterpieces as the famous Goddess with the pouring jar (18th century B.C.) from Mari.
On entry you will be greeted with impressive basalt statues of the 9th century B.C. discovered at Tel Halaf, the
antique Gouzana. They are statues of neo-Hittite style representing a goddess and two gods, standing erect on their
animal-attribute. They used to support the entrance portico of a palace. Two sitting sphinxes near them had formerly
been used as ornaments at the base of the same door. Collections of the Museum are classified in chronological
and geographical order. Mari, in addition to the statue of the Goddess with the pouring jar is represented in particular
by Lamgi-Mari, king of Mari, Grand Ensi of Enlil who dedicated his statue to Inanna-Ush (Virile Ishtar) as revealed
by a writing on the back of this Grand Ensi (imperial title) of the god Enlil, protector of the city of Nippour,
in Sumerian land, and in a more general way, of all royalty.
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