back to the beginning of human settlement in the stone age . Ancient Semitic civilizations Syria’s history is replete with civilizations, cities, and kingdoms, including Mari , Ugarit , Ramitha, Bara, Dura-Europos , Karak beaza, Qatora, Ain Dara , Basofan, Arwad , Shahba, Qanwat, Salkhad, Apamea , Hamoukar, Emar, and many