The archaeological site of Palmyra was a trading link between the Roman empire and India and Pakistan. The site is located between Damascus and the Euphrates rivers, and was first occupied during paleolithic times (at least), but is probably best known for its Roman occupation in the first century AD; and it was the site of the revolt of Queen Zenobia, between AD 268-270.
Palmyra was at an oasis, and between the first century BC and 3rd century AD, it was a stopping point for caravans on the shortest route of the Silk Road between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean.
Recent international studies led by the Deutches Archeologische Institut have focused on textiles. There is also a joint Syrian-Finnish excavation being undertaken at Palmyra, focused on the really early occupations. Excavations by the Palmyra Investigation Team at Nara University in Japan have excavated human remains from Tomb C.
Sources
Yoshimura, K., T. Nakahashi, and K. Saito 2006 Why did the ancient inhabitants of Palmyra suffer fluorosis? Journal of Archaeological Science 33(10):1411-1418.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
