The Palace “panorama”

Giorgio Buccellati – October 2007

A chapter of the digital monograph: Site Presentation

The kiosk set-up
The plates

The kiosk set-up

The Palace “panorama” is set on a high slope of the tell itself. From here, one can see not only the Palace, but also the area towards the Temple.

At both the Temple and the Palace we have installed a lighting system (in function only when the Expedition is present) that highlights the architecture and allows for evening visits. In the photo below, the Minister of Culture is shown in visit to the site in 2006.

Looking at the Palace from the Panorama kiosk.

Dr. Riyad Nassan Agha, Minister of Culture of the Syrian Arab Republic
(second form the right),
and the Governor of the province of Hassaka (third from the right)
visiting Mozan in 2006.

The Palace in the foreground, and the panorama kiosk in the background

The plates

As the picture at the top shows, the plates within the case are arranged so as to develop their own narrative, which is divided into four sections. For each section, you may open a PDF file with all the relevant plates, which are also shown as thumbnails.

1. A life once lived (PDF 875K)

It deals with the organization of the various sectors of the Palace, and the people who lived in it.

2. The section on the two gates (PDF 350K)

It deals with the wider setting of the Monumental Urban Complex. It is enclosed by the “two gates” that lead to two different dimensions of the supernatural world – the necromantic shaft that connects with the Netherworld, and the Temple Terrace that ascends towards the heavens.

3. Reconstructing the past (PDF 370K)

It presents the most important historical conclusions that can be drawn from a consideration of the finds in the Palace.

4. The past is for the future (PDF 350K)

It explains the importance of preserving the architectural remains and highlights the wall conservation techniques that are unique to Mozan.

5. Appendix

A supplemental page has been added in 2009: since the preservation program is currently undergoing significant changes, and is not yet completed, I have not re-written the pertinent pages in the “panorama,” and have only added this interim notice.