Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (12.2000(2001))

CHHIM

LEBANON

the project it may be stated with a certain
measure of conviction that at least part of
the village dates back to the middle of the
1st century AD. Hellenistic potsherds
from the trial pits in E.V and E.VII, as well
as below the temple itself open the
possibility of moving Chhim origins even
further back in time.
SUBSTRUCTURE E.VII
Continued clearing work behind the
Roman temple uncovered substructure
E.VII, which is almost square with an
entrance in the eastern wall (Fig. 3). In the
center there is a stone block that had
served as the base of a wooden support for
the flat roof. Two stone benches along the
northern and western walls complement
this view of a typical Chhim private house
(Fig. 4). The room survives to a height of

1.80 m. Excavations have revealed floors
connected with two habitation phases —
Byzantine and Roman. The pottery
assemblage from the Roman phase
includes some mixed potsherds of the lst-
to-4th centuries AD, together with a few
Hellenistic pieces of the 3rd and 2nd
centuries. A coin of Ptolemy I found in the
floor underscores the Hellenistic-period
evidence. The last discovery of the season
was a typical local taboun or bread-baking
oven, which had been installed in the
northwestern corner of the room.
SUBSTRUCTURE E.VIII
A long and narrow room south of E.VII, it
was also excavated this year. A door leads
to the interior with a floor made of stone
slabs lying some 0.30 m below street level.
A bench was found in the back; it passes


Fig. 4. General view of house E.VII
(Photo K. Kotlewski)

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