Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

ESHMOUN

LEBANON

MODERN STRUCTURES

Only six stone cottages of recent date were
located this year, compared to at least 27
last year. These rectangular constructions
were built of stone blocks, in one case (site
45, cf. map in Fig. 1) taking advantage of
the steep rock valley slope, approximately
4 m above the modern road. Another house
observed in Bisri village (site 60) was
located almost on top of the mountain peak
where the modern village is located. Several
other severely destroyed structures, possibly

dwellings, were recorded in Bisri. Unlike
these first two buildings, the ones from sites
62 and 66 had vaulted substructures. The
house from site 62 is one of the best pre-
served of its kind, permitting observations
concerning the interior layout. In no. 66,
lime mortar was observed bonding the
stones, the first case of mortar bonding to be
recorded during the survey. The remaining
two stone houses located this year were
found on sites 48 and 49-



Tig. 1. Map of the surveyed area in the Auali (Eshmoun) Valley, 2004-2005
(Drawing P. Witkowski)

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