A mosaic painting dating back to the classic period of the Roman era was discovered in a neighborhood in a-Rastan city 20 km to the north of Homs.

Director of Homs Antiquities Department Hussam Hamish told SANA that the department tracked information by competent authorities about the existence of a mosaic painting in one of the houses in al-Qala’a neighborhood in al-Rastan.

The decorations on the painting indicate that it belongs to the classical period of the Roman era with an area of 8 square meters (2 wide and 4 long) of it unearthed so far, he added, indicating that work is continuing to reveal the entire painting.

The official said the painting sustained vandalism to some parts when terrorists who were in control of the city tried to uproot and smuggle it abroad before they were defeated last May, affirming that the damage can be repaired by the Department’s experts.