A visit here is in effect a pleasant stroll through Syrian history, from the Palaeolithic to the Islamic period. Allow time for numerous pauses before poignant vestiges of ancient civilisations from Mari, Ugarit, Ebla and Tell Halaf. This last site is evoked at the museum entrance with a reconstruction of the entry to the palace-temple at Tell Halaf: the basalt statues of three divinities are mounted on their animal attributes; the two flanking sphinxes adorned the door jambs. Unmissable!