The North Central Region
Slightly less reliant on large river systems, and receiving more rainfall than some other areas of Syria, its expansive plains are characterised by a rich red earth, particularly suited to cereal crops.
The Bronze and Iron Age sites of this region are some of the most famous in Syrian archaeology, including Aleppo and Ebla.
Regarding trade links between the Euphrates region and the Mediterranean Coast, these major sites were able to take advantage of their intermediate position in the much same way as the oasis city of Palmyra to the south.
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Traditional village near Ebla (F. Cobbing, 1997) The so-called ‘beehive houses’ in this village are typical of northern and central Syria, though they are becoming rarer as concrete replaces mud brick as the principle building material. |
