Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

JIYEH

LEBANON

SURVEY OBJECTIVES

The prospection in the necropolis was de-
signed to record tombs not visible on the
ground. Surface evidence had also suggest-
ed the presence of pottery workshops. The
magnetic method was expected to yield evi-
dence of kilns and post-production waste.

In the area occupied by the ancient
town, the objective was to trace the layout
of architecture in the as yet unexcavated
northeastern part of the town, as well as
the remains in the west, on the site of the
basilica.

METHOD AND EQUIPMENT

Magnetic prospection was accomplished
with a Geoscan Research FM-36 gradio-
meter. The measuring grid was 0.50 by
0.25 m, that is, measurements were taken
every 0.25 m along lines traced 0.50 m
apart, applying the parallel mode (instru-
ment moving in one direction only). The
measured units were 20 by 10 m. The re-

sults were presented as grayscale magnetic
maps, i.e., maps of changes of intensity of
the Earth's magnetic field.
The resistivity survey was performed
with a RM15 resistivity meter, applying
a twin-probe configuration (distance between
traversing probes equal to 0.50 m). The
measuring grid was 0.50 by 1.00 m.

MAGNETIC SURVEY RESULTS

The magnetic survey of the northern part
of the site covered four areas in the necro-
polis [Fig. 1: areas 1-4], corresponding to
the artificial terraces formed during the
recent earthworks. The only apparently
undisturbed ground (at least since the
archaeologists' arrival) is situated in the
eastern part of area 4.
Area 1 (surveyed 0.445 ha). Readings
were heavily disturbed by metal waste.
Moreover, recent earthworks have reshaped
the surface into absolutely flat ground.
Measurements in the southwestern corner
of the area registered a series of anomalies
that could be interpreted as corresponding
to archaeological structures. The rounded
shape and high amplitude of values were
suggestive of pottery kilns, but further
earthworks in 2004 did not verify this
theory. The prospection also registered a
series of oval anomalies situated along two
parallel EW lines in the central part of the

area (south of a modern earth dump). No
verification was possible in this case.
Area 2 (surveyed 0.425 ha). Again, the
surface had been leveled by earthworks
carried out in the area. The readings were
disturbed by metal reference points and
waste (in the southwestern part). There are
no surface traces that could explain the cha-
racter of oval anomalies of high amplitude in
the northeastern part of the area. The shape
and value amplitude of some of these ano-
malies recall those typical of pottery kilns.
Anomalies in the southeastern part run in
lines at right angles, suggestive of some
form of architecture. No archaeological
verification was possible in this area.
Area 3 (surveyed 0.06 ha). The surface
here was leveled flat for agricultural pur-
poses. The readings were partly disturbed
by metal waste. No surface traces have re-
mained to help to interpret the anomalies
at the center of the area.

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