In late May 2026, Dr. Masaoud Badawi, Director General of Antiquities in Syria, visited the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin. The discussions centred on the continued progress of the DAI’s gradually resuming activities in Syria, as well as on deepening German-Syrian cooperation in the field of cultural heritage preservation. As early as 2016, the DAI had responded to the massive destruction in Syria and Iraq by launching the Archaeological Heritage Network. Within the framework of the project series Stunde Null – a future for the time after the crisis funded by the Federal Foreign Office, the DAI worked systematically with partners to prepare for the prospect of future reconstruction.

Particular attention during the discussions with the Director General was devoted to the Damascus GIS and Palmyra GIS-projects, which reflect different requirements and conditions but pursue a common goal: the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a central foundation for the preservation and reconstruction of historic building fabric: “The joint development and expansion of these systems is important to us. Ultimately, it is our Syrian partners who decide what is needed. We want to support them in this process as equals,” emphasizes Claudia Bührig, Head of the DAI’s Damascus Branch Office.

Development of a Geographic Information System for the Old City of Damascus

After a prolonged interruption, the team of the Damascus Branch Office resumed its work in 2025 with a pilot project focused on the Old City of Damascus. The Old City has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and remains a densely populated, vibrant urban space to this day. TheDamascus GIS is currently under development and is designed to manage the urban structure of the historic Old City. A particular strength of the system lies in its ability to consistently integrate historical, archaeological, infrastructural, and urban planning data – making it a foundation for documentation, heritage conservation, future urban planning, and sustainable preservation measures. The first step involves surveying the existing urban fabric on the basis of historical and current cadastral maps, satellite and aerial imagery, as well as data gathered within the framework of the Syrian Heritage Archive Project (SHAP). Through German-Syrian collaboration, the Damascus GIS will develop into a living digital archive in the coming years – of significance not only for heritage conservationists and cultural scholars, but also for planners and practitioners.

The Palmyra GIS, by contrast, is already operational and focuses on the archaeological site of Palmyra, likewise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was developed from 2016 onwards within the framework of the ‘Stunde Null’-project series and brings together archaeological and topographical data from the ancient oasis city. The system serves to safeguard existing documentation, record war damage, and prepare future research, protection, and restoration measures – while also supporting knowledge transfer and the training of Syrian specialist colleagues in digital documentation methods.

Workshop on Drone Survey and Photogrammetry

With financial support from the Federal Foreign Office and the Gerda Henkel Foundation, a six-day workshop was successfully conducted in November 2025. Seven staff members of the Syrian Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) from Damascus and Aleppo worked on drone survey and photogrammetric recording techniques, achieving comprehensive coverage of the northern half of the Old City of Damascus. The result is a precise photogrammetric record of the current state of the site. At the same time, the workshop offered Syrian colleagues the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with modern documentation techniques and to apply them directly. The potential for knowledge transfer within the Syrian professional community was particularly evident: exchange, training, and documentation form the foundation for a new beginning in Syria.

Outlook

Plans for 2026 include the expansion of the Damascus GIS and project-specific training for Syrian colleagues in both GIS projects. In discussions with the Director General, joint perspectives for future cooperation in the areas of heritage conservation, digital archiving, training, and academic exchange were also developed. The visit underlines the importance of long-term international cooperation for the protection and study of Syria’s cultural heritage.