A joint international team has announced the discovery of a 2,300-year-old temple dedicated to the goddess Ishtar in the ancient city of Mari, Syria. Characterized by two massive winged lion statues flanking the entrance, the sanctuary dates back to the early Hellenistic period and exhibits a blend of Mesopotamian and Greek religious architecture.
Inside the inner sanctum, researchers found a ceremonial altar containing obsidian daggers and silver incense burners. This discovery is particularly significant as it demonstrates the continued importance of traditional Semitic deities even after the conquests of Alexander the Great. The preservation of the mud-brick walls and stone reliefs has been described as exceptional by the archaeological community.