Reading, preserving and presenting evolutionary aspects in ruined monument The Temples of Ugarit

Architectural monuments play essential roles in the understanding of the historic, artistic and cultural aspects of their civilization. They have a primary role in the development of a city over time and consequently their stratigraphy, when found in ruins, can reflect a city’s historical periods and inter-relationships, as they are like beacons in the urban transformation process. Therefore, in studying ancient cities, it is very important to focus on the political and religious systems and their structures, for instance the palace and the temples. This study aims to shed the light on the two monumental temples at the Acropolis of Ugarit, the major Bronze Age archaeological site in Syria, their evolution, and their role in the city’s development and morphology.
The strategic location of Syria, which mediated all weighty powers at that time, had contributed to variable structures in line with the influencing powers in each part of the region. However, the architectural principles of the temples in Ugarit were not derived from one specific culture; alternative, unique architectural concepts established in Ugaritic temples alongside the development of the city over eight centuries benefiting from its multiscale relationships, which exceeded the land borders.
The study is built upon detailed archaeological reading and architectural analysis of the temples, taking into account their design concept, construction techniques and urban settings. A conservation proposal will be discussed as a vehicle to highlight the outstanding stratification, architectural and cultural values associated with the ruins of these temples. A series of poignant architectural interventions is proposed to facilitate the reading of the temples’ architecture and stratifications, and restore the monumental character and urban relationships with other parts of the city.