Ugarit (Ras Shamra)

The texts are written in 'Ugaritic', a unique script which combines an alphabetic system with a cuneiform characters. 

Excavated by Claude Schaeffer during the 1930s, Ugarit was one of the richest and most successful of all the Canaanite towns, particularly in the Late Bronze Age. 

Many of the exquisite finds from Ugarit are on display in the Damascus Museum. They reflect a wealthy, artistically refined, cosmopolitan society, founded on the extensive trading relationships from around the Mediterranean and Near East. 

The remains of the city itself are very impressive. The palace of Ugarit was the envy of many - including the king of Mari on the Euphrates. Excavations have revealed courtyard gardens, elaborate bathrooms and elegant reception rooms. 

It is possible for the modern visitor to walk through the streets of the ancient town, stand in the living-room of one of the exclusive villas, or marvel at the sophistication of the drainage systems in much the same way as one can at the later town of Palmyra. 

The site gives a wonderful insight into the refinement of the town's inhabitants and the vigour of Canaanite civilization as a whole.

This view shows the walls of some of the finest private villas of the Late Bronze Age city, which, situated on the city wall, enjoyed stunning views of the Mediterranean coast, and probably had the advantage of cool sea breezes in the hot summer months. The luxury which the residents of Ugarit were obviously accustomed to illustrates the city’s success as an international trading partner.