The royal palace
Halls and stone floors.
Frank Kidner — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frank Kidner — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frank Kidner — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frank Kidner — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frank Kidner — CC BY-SA 4.0
Ugarit is an ancient coastal city in northern Syria, at a site known in Arabic as Ras Shamra. Since its discovery in 1928 it has revealed the oldest known systematic use of an alphabet. Though its remains lie low under the grass, its place in the history of writing makes it a destination for anyone interested in the past. Evidence of settlement goes back to the 8th millennium BC and lasts until its destruction about 1185 BC. It grew greatly in the Late Bronze Age, from about 1500 to 1200 BC, becoming a kingdom that ruled an area close to today's Latakia Governorate. Its texts were written in a previously unknown Semitic language. You enter through a stone gate to the remains of the royal palace, with its large halls, stone floors and a stone basin in one of its courts. Low walls and stone urns lie scattered around you among grasses and wildflowers. There is little explanation on site, so read up before you go, and the alphabet tablet itself is kept in the museum in Damascus. It is about 8 km in a straight line from central Latakia and easy to reach by car. Bring comfortable shoes and water, as the site is exposed. We found no confirmed hours, so go in the daytime. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Syria, and British consular help is not available there, so check official guidance before making any plans.
Halls and stone floors.
In one of the courts.
Among the low walls.
Ras Shamra, north of Latakia, Syria
It is kept in the National Museum of Damascus, so do not expect to see it on site.
Only a few, so read about the site before going or take a guide.