Homs, central Syria (SANA)-Head of the German archeological expedition working in the Katana Kingdom ruins at Tel el-Mesherfeh archeological site in Homs Prof. Peter Pfalzner said the archeological finds in the site during the past two days indicate that Katana Kingdom enjoyed influence and important international and trade ties.

In a statement to SANA, Pfalzner said that the expedition uncovered a burial chamber containing gifts buried with the deceased that were sent from Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley, adding that it is likely that the skeletons that were unearthed in the chamber belonged to the family of a king or to one of his relatives, given the obvious care in handling the burial.

He added the finds reveal the existence of cultural relations between Katana Kingdom and the Pharaohs and Mesopotamia, in addition to trade relations with Mediterranean countries

Pfalzner underlined the importance of Katana kingdom during the Middle Bronze Age in the 2nd Millennium BC, adding that the royal palace in it was one of the greatest in Syria. He also noted that the archeological sites in Syria are filled with treasures waiting to be uncovered.

A couple of days ago, the Syrian-German expedition unearthed 50 ancient artifacts dating back to the late Bronze era (1650-1600 BC).

The finds included a gold bracelet encrusted with a lapis lazuli stone in the shape of a circular seal, two gold clasps, bronze clasps, a sheet of gold with a depiction of a palm tree, a small crystal jar, and a stone statue of a hippopotamus of Egyptian origin, which is believed to have been sent as a present.

Manal Ismael / H. Sabbagh