Archaeological Excavations by Georges Abou Diwan
BAAL , 2019
This study presents the results of an archaeological rescue excavation carried out in Ashrafieh p... more This study presents the results of an archaeological rescue excavation carried out in Ashrafieh plot no. 163. The site contained the remains of a cemetery with 21 inhumation graves dated to the Early Roman Period. The use of the plot as a burial space commenced during the late 1st century BC and continued to the 2nd century AD. Four phases were identified based on the stratigraphic sequence and dating provided by artefactual material. The report involves a discussion of the organization and layout of the graves, their spatial distribution by gender, coffin type, age group, and artefact type. An osteological assessment was also conducted for the skeletal material followed by a typological and functional study of the associate graves goods.
The Phoenicians emerged in the Northern Levant around 1800 BCE and by the 9 th century BCE had sp... more The Phoenicians emerged in the Northern Levant around 1800 BCE and by the 9 th century BCE had spread their culture across the Mediterranean Basin, establishing trading posts, and settlements in various European Mediterranean and North African locations. Despite their widespread influence, what is known of the Phoenicians comes from what was written about them by the Greeks and Egyptians. In this study, we investigate the extent of Phoeni-cian integration with the Sardinian communities they settled. We present 14 new ancient mitogenome sequences from pre-Phoenician (~1800 BCE) and Phoenician (~700–400 BCE) samples from Lebanon (n = 4) and Sardinia (n = 10) and compare these with 87 new complete mitogenomes from modern Lebanese and 21 recently published pre-Phoenician ancient mitogenomes from Sardinia to investigate the population dynamics of the Phoeni-cian (Punic) site of Monte Sirai, in southern Sardinia. Our results indicate evidence of continuity of some lineages from pre-Phoenician populations suggesting integration of indigenous Sardinians in the Monte Sirai Phoenician community. We also find evidence of the arrival of new, unique mitochondrial lineages, indicating the movement of women from sites in the Near East or North Africa to Sardinia, but also possibly from non-Mediterranean populations and the likely movement of women from Europe to Phoenician sites in Lebanon. Combined, this evidence suggests female mobility and genetic diversity in Phoenician communities , reflecting the inclusive and multicultural nature of Phoenician society.
Cet article présente les résultats de deux campagnes d’études et de sondages archéologiques menée... more Cet article présente les résultats de deux campagnes d’études et de sondages archéologiques menées en 2010 et 2011 sur le site de Qasr Swayjani situé sur la commune de Kahlouniyyé, dans la région du Chouf el-Swayjani. Les vestiges de ce site de la haute montagne libanaise daté de l’époque hellénistique se composent d’un édifice principal presque carré, construit en gros blocs assemblés à sec, et d’une construction annexe dont le plan demeure encore incertain. L’étude du bâtiment principal et du matériel découvert montre qu’il s’agit d’un poste fortifié placé sur une position stratégique remontant aux IIIe-Ier s. av. J.-C.
GIS Applications in Archaeology by Georges Abou Diwan
Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology, 2025
This study introduces a method for assessing the archaeological potential of the Marj Bisri area ... more This study introduces a method for assessing the archaeological potential of the Marj Bisri area (Southern Lebanon) before the implementation of a water dam project. The methodology includes the development of archaeological predictive models (APMs) by examining the spatial relationships between known archaeological sites identified from prior surveys and various geo-environmental factors. Two probability methods, namely Frequency Ratio and Shannon’s entropy methods, were employed to generate these models. The results produced susceptibility maps that provided an indication of archaeological potential within the Marj Bisri region, particularly in areas expected to fall within the projected boundaries of the upcoming dam’s reservoir. These maps will also serve as a guide for future surveys to be conducted in the area.
Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, Vol. 20, No 2, 2020
This study tests the use of Frequency Ratio (FR), Statistical Index (Wi), and Binary Logistic Reg... more This study tests the use of Frequency Ratio (FR), Statistical Index (Wi), and Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) methods for establishing predictive maps for Iron Age sites in the Bekaa (Lebanon). As such it stands as the first attempt to use archaeological predictive modelling on a national level. The models were generated using an archaeological database consisting of 42 Iron Age I and 30 Iron Age II sites located in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon and six geo-environmental factors: distance to rivers, distance to cropland, slope, aspect, elevation, and terrain texture. The accuracy and predictive capacity of these models were tested using Kvamme’s Gain value. The results indicate that the FR method is more reliable in locating areas of archaeological potential than Wi and BLR. The analysis of the FR- and Wi-based models shows that distance to rivers, terrain texture, and elevation provide the most significant classes affecting settlement incidence. On the other hand, in the BLR, distance to crops and distance to rivers are the most statistically significant explanatory variables for identifying areas with high archaeological probability. The archaeological predictive maps produced in this study form a valuable tool for cultural heritage management and any future archaeological investigation of the Bekaa region.
Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2017
The Mount Lebanon range has permanently formed a main barrier to communication between the coast ... more The Mount Lebanon range has permanently formed a main barrier to communication between the coast and the Bekaa valley. During the Roman period, official authorities were confronted to a significant challenge in establishing an efficient route joining the colony of Berytus to its territorial possessions in the northern Bekaa which included the town of Heliopolis Baalbak. This case study aims to find the least cost path for the road between both cities based on slope dependent functions using GIS technologies. Three generated models are cross-referenced to historical and archaeological data for validation purposes. The validated path indicates that the planning of the Berytus-Baalbak Heliopolis road seems to have been primarily based on minimizing energy cost by reducing the crossing distance over steep slopes.
The Mount Lebanon range has permanently formed a main barrier to communication between the coast ... more The Mount Lebanon range has permanently formed a main barrier to communication between the coast and the Bekaa valley. During the Roman period, official authorities were confronted to a significant challenge in establishing an efficient route joining the colony of Berytus to its territorial possessions in the northern Bekaa which included the town of Heliopolis Baalbak. This case study aims to find the least cost path for the road between both cities based on slope dependent functions using GIS technologies. Three generated models are cross-referenced to historical and archaeological data for validation purposes. The validated path indicates that the planning of the Berytus-Baalbak Heliopolis road seems to have been primarily based on minimizing energy cost by reducing the crossing distance over steep slopes.
Finding Chalcis ad Libanum: A GIS-based Approach
Geo-Sp Mag, 2018
Chalcis ad Libanum was the ancient capital of the Iturean rulers of the 1st century BC. The locat... more Chalcis ad Libanum was the ancient capital of the Iturean rulers of the 1st century BC. The location of this ancient agglomeration remains controversial to this date. This is mainly due to the scarcity of historical records and the lack of archaeological evidence. An interdisciplinary approach is adopted in this study to identify potential locations for Chalcis by cross-referencing the geographic data provided by textual sources with geospatial analysis. The first step consists in establishing a predictive model of the road connecting Heliopolis (Baalbak) to Abila (Souk Wadi Barada) using Least Cost Path Analysis (LCPA) given that, according to textual sources, Chalcis is very likely to have been located at a close distance of this road. The following step consists in conducting a suitability analysis based on the evaluation of four criteria: the Topographic Position Index (TPI), the proximity to water sources, the proximity to Least Cost Path (LCP), and the Aspect. The derived suitability map enables a detection of the most appropriate locations in which Chalcis was probably established.
The existence of wetlands in central Biqā‘ has been reported by various textual sources ranging b... more The existence of wetlands in central Biqā‘ has been reported by various textual sources ranging between the Hellenistic and Medieval periods. Intensive large-scale drainage work operated by the Mamluks in the 14th century C.E. has led to an important loss of its expanse. The aim of the following study is to initially establish a new predictive model of these wetlands by cross-referencing the geographical data provided by textual sources with remote sensing surveys and geographic information system. The territorial landscape of the Biqā‘ in the Roman period will then be revisited and discussed at a second stage. These wetlands seem to have formed a buffer zone between the territory of the Roman colony of Berytus located in northern Biqā‘ and Sidon in the South.
Coin Study by Georges Abou Diwan
Bulletin d'Archéologie et d'Architecture Libanaises (BAAL) 19 , 2019
The beginning of coinage in Phoenicia is recently considered to have started at the
end of the se... more The beginning of coinage in Phoenicia is recently considered to have started at the
end of the second half of the fifth century BC. This dating is based on two arguments.
The first is the presence of one Tyrian coin in the Hauran hoard buried in ca 445 BC.
The second is related to the alleged ‘absence and intrusiveness’ of Phoenician coins in
the hoards from the first half of the fifth century BC. The Tell Karayeb-Yanuh hoard is
composed from silver fractions of archaic coins from Aegina and Miletus, silver fractions
of Phoenician coins from Byblos, Sidon and Tyre as well as ‘hacksilber’. Being found
in official excavations, this hoard undoubtedly proves the association of archaic Greek
coins with Phoenician coins and thus invites to reconsider the starting date of the latter.
A thorough study of circulation of these silver coins and objects coupled with the absence
of Athenian and Thraco-Macedonian silver coins in the Tell Kharayeb-Yanuh hoard date
its burial around 480 BC. This will consequently allow assigning a higher date to the
beginning of the coinage in Phoenicia, early in the fifth century BC.
American Journal of Numismatics, 2018
This paper addresses the circulation of Early Byzantine coins produced between 491 and 641 CE and... more This paper addresses the circulation of Early Byzantine coins produced between 491 and 641 CE and found in 41 archaeological excavations in Beirut Central District, covering significant parts of the Byzantine city of Berytus. The purpose of the study is to identify the pattern of coin supply throughout this period with a re-examination of previous assumptions. A comparative analysis is established with numismatic data found in neighboring sites in order to highlight common and distinctive patterns of supply at the regional level.
OMNI, Dec 2013
The colonial coinage of Sidon minted from 218 AD onwards, confirmed the stationing of the legio I... more The colonial coinage of Sidon minted from 218 AD onwards, confirmed the stationing of the legio III Gallica. The presence of this legion in Sidon is also reaffirmed by an epitaph of a soldier found in this city (DM / Octavi / VS. MAXI / MVS MIL LEG / GAL III) . However, an unpublished coin of Elagabalus belonging to the collection of Münzkabinett - Staatliche Museen zu Berlin shows the installation of a new Roman Legion in Sidon.
Le monnayage colonial de Sidon émis à partir de 218 apr. J.-C., lors de son élévation au rang de colonie par Élagabal, confirme le stationnement d’un détachement de la IIIe Gallica. Des monnaies frappées par cette cité représentent l’acte rituel de fondation et portent, en effet, l’inscription LEG III G sur le vexillum. La présence de cette légion à Sidon est réaffirmée par une épitaphe de soldat (D M/ OCTAVI/VS. MAXI/MVS MIL LEG/ III GAL) trouvée en ce même lieu. Cependant, une monnaie inédite d’Élagabal appartenant à la collection du Münzkabinett - Staatliche Museen zu Berlin vient montrer l’installation d’une nouvelle légion romaine à Sidon.
The authors revise the study of the tesserae bearing the name of Melqart in Tyre, through a set o... more The authors revise the study of the tesserae bearing the name of Melqart in Tyre, through a set of twelve pieces struck between 141/0 and 61/0 BC. They propose a new classification and question various assumptions about their origin, their dating and their use. It can therefore be concluded that these tesserae are produced in Tyre, from 141/0 BC —the date of grant of territorial inviolability or asylia— and then are dated according to the era of independence, starting in 126/5 BC. The dates of production of almost all the tesserae are consistent with the celebration of the Heracleans quinquennial games of Tyre.
Syria 88, pp. 265-283., 2011
A hoard of antoniniani from south-eastern Bekaa (Lebanon).
American Journal of Numismatics, 2012
During the second century BC, the Sidonian mint produced an undated civic coinage with no referen... more During the second century BC, the Sidonian mint produced an undated civic coinage with no reference to the Seleucid authority. The following study attempts to establish, through a corpus of 113 coins, a refined dating of its production. Four various groups are identified based on stylistic and technical criteria as well as comparison with both municipal and dated civic coinage: group I (169/8–146/5 bc), group II (ca. 144/3–134/3 bc), group III (ca. 126/5–122/1 bc) and group IV (ca. 114/3–111/0 bc). The nature of relationship between the Sidonian authority and Seleucid administration is then revisited in the light of this particular coinage.
Epigraphy by Georges Abou Diwan
Chronos 30, pp. 145-163, 2014
The starting point of the autonomous era of Sidon is an issue that remains at present very contro... more The starting point of the autonomous era of Sidon is an issue that remains at present very controversial. Several dates were proposed: the year 112, 111 and 110 BC. However these assumptions remains speculative, since the epigraphic and numismatic material known until now does not seem able to definitively validate any suggestions for the dates listed above. This paper attempts to resolve definitively this issue in light of a new inscription found within a byzantine mosaic church floor in southern Bekaa (Lebanon).
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Archaeological Excavations by Georges Abou Diwan
GIS Applications in Archaeology by Georges Abou Diwan
Coin Study by Georges Abou Diwan
end of the second half of the fifth century BC. This dating is based on two arguments.
The first is the presence of one Tyrian coin in the Hauran hoard buried in ca 445 BC.
The second is related to the alleged ‘absence and intrusiveness’ of Phoenician coins in
the hoards from the first half of the fifth century BC. The Tell Karayeb-Yanuh hoard is
composed from silver fractions of archaic coins from Aegina and Miletus, silver fractions
of Phoenician coins from Byblos, Sidon and Tyre as well as ‘hacksilber’. Being found
in official excavations, this hoard undoubtedly proves the association of archaic Greek
coins with Phoenician coins and thus invites to reconsider the starting date of the latter.
A thorough study of circulation of these silver coins and objects coupled with the absence
of Athenian and Thraco-Macedonian silver coins in the Tell Kharayeb-Yanuh hoard date
its burial around 480 BC. This will consequently allow assigning a higher date to the
beginning of the coinage in Phoenicia, early in the fifth century BC.
Le monnayage colonial de Sidon émis à partir de 218 apr. J.-C., lors de son élévation au rang de colonie par Élagabal, confirme le stationnement d’un détachement de la IIIe Gallica. Des monnaies frappées par cette cité représentent l’acte rituel de fondation et portent, en effet, l’inscription LEG III G sur le vexillum. La présence de cette légion à Sidon est réaffirmée par une épitaphe de soldat (D M/ OCTAVI/VS. MAXI/MVS MIL LEG/ III GAL) trouvée en ce même lieu. Cependant, une monnaie inédite d’Élagabal appartenant à la collection du Münzkabinett - Staatliche Museen zu Berlin vient montrer l’installation d’une nouvelle légion romaine à Sidon.
Epigraphy by Georges Abou Diwan
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