Syria: Italian archaeologist Matthiae awarded for discovery of Ebla

The famous Italian archaeologist Paolo Matthiae received in Damascus the gold medal of merit awarded to him by the Syrian president Bashar al Assad, for having discovered the civilization of Ebla in Syria. This was reported by the Syrian government agency Sana. The ceremony took place in the garden of the Syrian National Museum in Damascus in the presence of the Vice President of the Syrian Republic, Najah Attar.