Ancient Syrian church unearthed

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Archeologists have unearthed an 8th-century church believed to be the largest of several discovered at the famous dig in Palmyra, central Syria.

A leading antiquities official says the church was discovered recently by a joint Syrian-Polish archeological team.

Walid al-Assaad, head of the Palmyra Antiquities and Museums Department, said Thursday that the discovery took place at an excavation site in the ancient town of Palmyra, 245 kilometres northeast of Damascus.

The church is the fourth and largest to be discovered in Palmyra - once a regional trade centre and now an archeological treasure trove.

Al-Assaad said the church is the biggest of its kind to be found in the area so far - it's base measuring an impressive 50 by 30 metres.

The church columns were estimated to be six metres tall, and the height of the wooden ceiling at some 15 metres.

A small amphitheatre was found in the church's courtyard where the experts believe some Christian rituals were practised.

"In the northern and southern parts of the church there are two rooms that are believed to have been used for baptisms, religious ceremonies, prayers and other rituals," added al-Assaad.

Palmyra, said to have been founded by King Solomon, was the centre of an Arab servant state to the Roman empire and thrived on the caravan trades across the desert to Mesopotamia and Persia, especially after the decline of ancient Petra in Jordan.

The city emerged to become a powerful trade centre after the Romans took control of it, serving as a link between the ancient Orient and Mediterranean countries. Under Queen Zenobia, the city rebelled against Roman rule and briefly carved out an independent desert Arab kingdom before being re-conquered and razed by the Romans.

The Polish team has been working in Palmyra since 1958. It has made many significant historical discoveries.