First results on the city planning of Cyrrhus (Syria)

The site of Cyrrhus is located in the Afrin valley (North Syria) at the crossing of the roads between Antioch and inner Syria. The layout of the lower town of Cyrrhus is established on a rectangular grid fanning out from the Main Street (Fig.?1). This Hippodamian plan in the pure Hellenistic tradition seems to be more or less respected in the Roman and Byzantine periods. The grid pattern is centred on a colonnaded main street running north/south across the entire city. However, during the Roman period, the town planning is articulated east-west and north-south by the implementation of a new axis for traffic. The streets lead to the major monuments of the site. The 7m wide north-south Street paved with basalt serves the Roman theatre located on the slope of the citadel and the Roman military camp at the western edge of the town. In the Byzantine period the grid is respected in regard to its alignment but the buildings encroach on the width of the streets, particularly on the portico of the main road. The Islamic settlement seems to have changed little in the city’s layout; but some new discoveries show a completely different organisation and orientation unfortunately unknown till today.
The Lebanese-Syrian Archaeological Mission of Cyrrhus has developed a research project based on the study of the town planning along with the system of fortification. This work on the defenses is being carried out by Shaker Shbib of the DGAMS of Syria and co-director of the excavation team…