The Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, a UNESCO World Heritage site, consist of around 40 well-preserved settlements from the 1st to 7th centuries, offering a remarkable glimpse into rural life during Late Antiquity and the Byzantine period. Abandoned between the 8th and 10th centuries, these villages feature intact remains of dwellings, churches, pagan temples, and bathhouses, showcasing the transition from Roman paganism to Byzantine Christianity. Recognized in 2011, the site highlights the inhabitants' advanced agricultural and architectural skills, though it has faced threats from conflict since the Syrian Civil War began.

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