SYRIA LAND OF CIVILIZATIONS THE FOREMOST CULTURAL EVENT OF THE YEAR 2000 Mesopotamia, the Palace of Mari, Queen Zenobia and her oasis city of Palmyra, St. Paul converted on the road to Damascus, the first great Islamic dynasty, the earliest forms of writing, and the first models of agriculture—these are all part of Syria’s rich 12,000- year-old history. This amazing legacy is the theme of Syria, Land of Civilizations, a major exhibition that will have its North American premiere at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City from May 31, 2000, to January 7, 2001. The Musée de la civilisation will then take the exhibition on tour with stops in other cities in Canada (Edmonton) and the United States (San Jose, New York, Atlanta). With Syria, Land of Civilizations, the Musée de la civilisation turns its attention to one of the oldest cultural centers in the world to explore the very foundations of civilization. Rarely have so many ancient treasures been brought together in one exhibition. In fact, some of the artifacts featured have never before been displayed outside Syria. Remarkable objects Visitors will be fascinated by the extravagance and rich symbolism of the approximately 400 items on display, including some invaluable archaeological treasures only recently unearthed. Among the remarkable objects (jewelry, statues, vases, scientific instruments, frescoes, bas-reliefs, and manuscripts) presented are the following: Hand axe, 1 million BC Decorated grooved stone, 9000 BC Cultic stela, 3000 BC Breastplate, 2500 BC Statuette, 2500 BC Lion sculpture, 1800 BC Statuette of the god Baal, 1800 BC Treasure of Ebla, 1750 BC Tablet: musical staff, 1400 BC Vase with a cart, 1300 BC Painted mural: two Assyrian dignitaries, 750 BC Sarcophagus cover, 500 BC Helmet with mask, AD 50 Funerary bas-relief of a woman, AD 137 Brooch, AD 200 Flask in the shape of a fish, AD 200 "Safaitic" graffiti, AD 200 Mosaic of Hercules, AD 300 Bracelet, AD 1200 Manuscript: medical works, 14th Century (first two books), 16th Century (third) Astrolabe, AD 1500 The exhibition Over 12,000 years ago in the Near East, mankind started to organize into groups. And so civilization was born. Syria is one of the first places in the world where this long process was set in motion. The exhibition explores this phenomenon through the three main spheres of organization essential to the rise of civilization: society, economy, and thought Social organization: the evolution of states Civilizations are characterized by complex social organizations with hierarchical systems of social classes managed by political elites. The exhibition looks at various types of early social organization, all of which shared a common objective: ensuring that their members participated in the development of their communities. This process included the establishment of villages (whose way of life was based on agriculture), the rise of cities requiring an administrative political system (some of which would evolve into such city-states as Mari and Ebla), the creation of kingdoms, and the emergence of great empires founded on a variety of social systems. Economic organization: various forms of collective wealth Every human society tries to ensure the survival of its members. To increase or diversify their activities, humans had to invent or intensify agricultural practices rather than simply hunting or gathering the food resources available in their immediate surroundings. It was in Syria that grain production and animal breeding were introduced for the first time. New tasks unrelated to agriculture arose: the processing of raw materials, the development of trade, the management of production and commercial exchanges. All of these activities required a new method of management based on calculation and writing. Organization of thought: in search of our origins and destiny Parallel to their economic and social development, the peoples of ancient Syria grew increasingly aware of the world around them. They became concerned with the role that each person should play in this environment. The members of these communities gradually developed their own world vision. They attempted to define natural and supernatural forces. In short, they structured their spiritual values, developing a concept of the divine and creating the temples, cults, and funerary rites that eventually led to the emergence of the great monotheistic religions. In conclusion, the exhibition highlights the important ties that link Western civilization to the Near East, and particularly to Syria, in the fields of thought and the sciences. The Syria, Land of Civilizations exhibition is a magnificent voyage transcending borders and cultures. Its North American premiere will be presented at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City from May 31, 2000, to January 7, 2001. Syria, Land of Civilizations is produced by the Musée de la civilisation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums of the Syrian Arab Republic. It is presented by AIM Funds and by invitation from Novartis and the Commission de la capitale nationale, in collaboration with Société Radio-Canada, CITF RockoDétente 107.5 FM, and Le Soleil. Information: Serge Poulin [418] 643-2158 Public Relations and Communications Issued : May, 30, 2000 Syria : other press release : The foremost cultural event of the year 2000 (Issued : May 30, 2000) Remarkable objects : ancient treasures and archaeological finds (Issued May 30, 2000) One of the outstanding cultural events of the year 2000 (Issued : October 26, 1999)) © Musée de la civilisation