Syrian collector hands over historical artifacts accumulated over 20 years to the state

Masry, who stated that his hobby of collecting eventually turned into a responsibility towards his country's history, has a collection that includes bronze coins, Ottoman-era pistols, seals and amulets, bracelets and rings, pottery, oil lamps, stones, sculptures, fossils, and various historical pieces. In a statement, Masry said that he preferred to hand over thousands of historical artifacts he had collected for approximately 20 years to the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, instead of keeping or selling them. Masry stated that his collection received intense interest from surrounding regions and that he contacted the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums so that the artifacts could be seen and preserved by everyone. Masry, stating that he established an emotional bond with the artifacts in his collection, said, 'These are a part of my heart for me. I have been with them for 20 years. They are like my children to me. I have examined the details of each piece hundreds of times.' Masry said that the artifacts in his collection range from the Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian periods to the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Ottoman periods. Masry, who stated that he continues to collect coins from Syria and other Arab countries, also said that his collection includes fossils from different periods.

Syrian collector hands over historical artifacts accumulated over 20 years to the state

Collector Beha Masry, living in the village of Hayt in Syria's Daraa province, voluntarily handed over thousands of historical artifacts he had collected for approximately 20 years to the state.