History of Maaloula
3. Maaloula > 3.2. History of Maaloula
Last modified April 02, 2023
- Contents
- 3.2.1. Prehistory
- 3.2.2. Recorded History
3.2.1. Prehistory:
Archaeological evidence suggests that hominid species originated in Africa, and the Levant was certainly the main route for the dispersal of Homo erectus into Eurasia. In other words, the Levant is the site of the earliest ancient-human presence outside of Africa.
Figure 3.2.1.1: The First Hominid Migration out of Africa {atlasofhumanevolution.com}
Figure 3.2.1.2: Hominid migration to Europe and Asia {atlasofhumanevolution.com}
Many cultures have succeeded in this region during the prehistoric era, the most important of which are: Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousterian, Aterian, Emiran, Ahmarian, Levantine Aurignacian, Kebaran, Natufian and Khiamian.
Since Maaloula is blessed with a relatively mild climate, perennial springs, flint availability and a large number of rock shelters, the entire area of Maaloula is rich in sites going back to at least the Levallois Middle Paleolithic (250,000 to 300,000 years ago; Conard 2016), though only a few were excavated until now.
Figure 3.2.1.3: Bedrock mortar to grind grains in one of the caves of Maaloula {Conard: The 2004 Excavation at Kaus Kozah Cave}
Figure 3.2.1.4: Caves of the Old Maaloulian {© Rimon Wehbi 2009}
3.2.2. Recorded History:
Aram-Damascus:
The Aramaean culture is basically the continuing development of the local culture of the Bronze Age.
Damascus was the capital of what was the most powerful state in the Levant, Aram-Damascus, and Maaloula was one of its towns.
Figure 3.2.2.1: Aramaean kingdoms in the Levant ca. 900 BCE {Gzella: Die Wiege der ersten Weltsprache altaramäische}
Several invasions:
The kingdom of Aram-Damascus was repeatedly attacked by the Neo-Assyrian Empire until it finally became an Assyrian province by Tiglath-Pileser III in 732 BCE.
This was followed by the empires who invaded the region and took control of it, but the culture of the people did not change and they kept their language, culture and traditions to this day. They were helped by their isolation in the mountains and their lack of intermingling with the invading armies and foreign rulers who were often in the big cities.
Figure 3.2.2.2: The Empires: Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, Achaemenid, Macdonian {Wikipedia> Users: Ningyou, Zunkir, WillemBK, Captain Blood~commonswiki}
Figure 3.2.2.3: The Empires: Seleucid, Roman, Byzantine, Sasanian {Wikipedia> Users: Javierfv1212, Tataryn, Tataryn, Ro4444}
Figure 3.2.2.4: Caliphates, Seljuk, Ottoman, Sykes-Picot Agreement {Wikipedia> Users: DieBuche, MapMaster, Chambo; Encyclopædia Britannica}
Christianity:
In the 1st century CE, the Apostle Thomas preached the Christ to Maaloulians, who were among the first to enter Christianity. Since then, a large number of shrines, churches and monasteries have been built in Maaloula. During the 4th century CE, Maaloula was the center of a bishopric. As history shows, its bishop Eutychus attended the first ecumenical council in 325 CE and signed the constitution of the Christian faith.
Rimon Wehbi June 02, 2021
Last modified April 02, 2023
To cite this article:
Wehbi, Rimon. “History of Maaloula.” In Yawna. Article last modified April 02, 2023; retrieved MONTH DAY, YEAR. https://yawna.org/maaloula-history-en/.