When was Damascus founded?

The city of Damascus has a long history, which makes it difficult to identify a precise date for its establishment.  According to UNESCO's World Heritage List, Damascus was "founded in the 3rd millennium B.C." and it "is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East."  The area where the city of Damascus is located was a home to settlers "as early as 8,000 to 10,000 BC."  When the Aramaeans arrived and settled in the area, it is recorded that it became an important city. 

The original city area of Damascus has been inhabited by residents continually for thousands of years.  This makes it one of the world's oldest cities to be inhabited continually.  Much of the physical planning of the city was done by the Romans.  Later, Muslims settled in the city and built the Great Mosque.  It was the Umayyad caliphate that made the city into the capital it is now.