Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

ESHMOUN

LEBANON

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The oldest of the archaeological sites
discovered this year have been attributed
tentatively to the Pre-pottery Neolithic
period. The first of two such sites (no. 68;
N 33°35'01.9"; E 35°3T36.6"; 493 m a.s.l.)
was localized on the northern slopes of the
valley above El Kherbe village. A concen-
tration of flint material was observed,
approximately 1.5 ha in area, but no traces
of any constructions or related material
except for some modern ceramics. Con-
sidering the size of the site, it could be
interpreted as a village or big workshop.
The other site with abundant flint material
(no. 77; N 33°34'l4.9", E 35°28'40.9",
211 m a.s.l.) was found on the southern
slopes of the valley. It covered about half
a hectare. The surface collection included
several potsherds.
One Chalcolithic or Bronze Age set-
tlement was also localized on the southern
valley slopes. The site (no. 59; N 33°35'59-4";
E 35°32'17.9"; 659 m a.s.l.) lies on a jutting
rise west of El Baabe village. A modern villa
with swimming pool erected on the spot has
all but obliterated the ancient remains and
more testing will be needed (possibly
during the next season) to confirm the
presence of the site.
Rock cut tombs, nine in all, were
identified on five different sites (nos 46, 51,
55, 70, 72). The sepulchers were either
chamber tombs with niches for burials or
rock-cut pits for single burials. All were of
the Roman period, most likely from the
3rd-4th century AD judging by the overall
shape and cutting technique.
Site 46 (N 33°35'03.9", E 35°32,49.2";
438 m a.s.l.). Two chamber tombs. The
western of the two [Fig. 2] had a square
entrance with the sides recessed to fit
a closing slab. The entrance was set inside
a recessed frame with vaulted top and a step

threshold. Inside the chamber there were
two burial niches, one opposite the entrance
and another one to the right. The niches
were cut as arcosolia with arched vaults.
The other tomb was prepared for four
internments [cf. Fig. 2], The entrance was
again of square shape. One burial niche was
located to the left of the entrance, two
others to the right and the fourth further to
the back of the chamber. The ground plan of
the tombs could not be documented because
of the thick accumulations inside the
chambers.
Site 51 (N 33°34.2i 21.0"; E 35°32' 33.3";
539 m a.s.l.). Similar tomb located near the
modern road, cut not in the valley slopes as
is the rule, but in a freestanding grey rock.
The entrance was generally rectangular in
shape with recesses for the closing slab.
Inside the chamber were two burial niches
with vaulted tops. Stones and earth
accumulated inside the tomb precluded full
documentation.
Site 55 (N 33°35' 47.6", E 35°34' 19.5";
432 m a.s.l.). Three tombs, each with
several burial niches, located on the
southern slopes of the valley. In each of the
tombs several places for sarcophagi were
localized. On the wall of one of the tombs,
just inside the entrance to the right, there
are some rock carvings: an apparent palm
branch and a naked human male figure
[Tig. 3}. A palm branch carving can be seen
in another of the tombs, where it is hewn on
the wall near the burial niche. This is
unusual iconography as far as the decoration
of rock-cut tombs in the area is concerned.
It is unfortunate that a few days after our
discoveries the tombs were vandalized.
Site 72 (N 33°33'57.5"; E 35029'47.9";
476 m a.s.l.). Chamber tomb found below
a modern road several hundred meters north
of site 70. Almost square entrance and three

433