Ebla

Ebla is an archaeological site in Idlib Governorate covering about 56 hectares with multiple layers of ancient settlement. The mound contains the remains of a royal palace, temples, defensive walls, and an acropolis built on limestone bedrock.

During the third millennium BCE, this site developed into a major power center with diplomatic connections stretching from the Anatolian plateau to the Sinai Peninsula. The city served as a hub for trade networks and cultural exchange throughout this ancient period.

The royal archives contain the earliest known dictionaries and encyclopedias, written in cuneiform and the Eblaite language. These texts show how people organized their daily lives, trade, and governance in this ancient center.

The site contains several distinct archaeological levels and areas that visitors can explore on foot. It is helpful to allow adequate time and wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain is uneven and walking across the mound is necessary to see the different sections.

Approximately 1800 clay tablets were discovered here, revealing a complex administrative system with kings, ministers, and governing councils. These documents show that organized structures for trade and governance existed thousands of years ago.