Research

In 2001, archeological research was conducted within the mountains of Anti-Lebanon, within the context of a project initiated by A. Wasse and executed in partnership with the DGA, the CBRL, and The Museum of Lebanese Prehistory. Within this vast mountainous region, Wadi Atneine and the Ard el Kichek plateau, located in the south of the Aarsal village, were investigated between 1969 and 1972 by Bruce Schroeder of the University of Toronto. Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic sites were discovered among which the Nachcharini Cave. Yet Schroeder’s work was interrupted in 1975. The 2001 campaign had 4 main objectives: 1) Localize and find the exact GPS coordinates of the sites discovered by B. Schroeder. 2) Intensively research the Nachcharini plateau and the Wadi Atneine. 3) Study the environmental context to gain an idea of the possible occupations throughout time. 4) Evaluate the state of the Nachcharini Cave for future excavations. Of the 23 prehistoric sites discovered by B. Schroeder, 19 were localized including the Nachcharini Cave, and 39 new sites were inventoried. According to the lithic materials discovered, the attested periods were: the Middle Palaeolithic, the Epipalaeolithic, the PPNA, the PPNB, and the Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age. As for the diagnostic of the ceramic sherds picked up on the surface, it allowed recognition of multiple different periods. Roman ceramics form an important category followed by proto-byzantine and medieval ceramics (XIII and XIV centuries). This research campaign proved the importance of human occupation in the North of Anti-Lebanon between the Middle Palaeolithic and medieval periods.

 

Publications

ARTICLES IN JOURNALS

PIRIE, A., 2001, « A Brief Note on the Chipped Stone Assemblage from PPNA Nachcharini Cave, Lebanon », Neo-Lithics 2001/2, p.8-12.

GARRARD, A., PIRIE A., SCHROEDER, B. and WASSE, A., with contributions by CLARKE, J., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., RHODES, S. and YAZBECK, C., 2004, « Survey of Nahcharini Cave and prehistoric settlement in the Northern Anti-Lebanon Highlands », BAAL 7 (2003), p. 15-48.

Between 2004 and 2010, a Syrian-Lebanese-Spanish mission co-directed by Michel Al Maqdissi (DGAM-Syria), Maya Haïdar-Boustani (Lebanese Prehistory Museum-USJ-Lebanon) and Juan José Ibañez (CSIC-Barcelona) conducted archaeological explorations in the region of Homs. The geographical area of this research is located in western Syria. It extends from the limits of the city of Homs to the east and the Crac des Chevaliers to the west, the village of Chîne to the north and the Lebanese border and the north shore of Lake Qattina to the south. Its total extension is approximately 560 km². This region includes well-differentiated territories: the Orontes Valley, the basaltic plateaus and hills and the Bouqaia plain.
The prospecting and study campaigns were followed by soundings and excavations on three sites: Jeftelik (Natufian), Tell Al Marj (Pottery Neolithic) and Tell Ezou (Early Bronze). In addition, a large number of megalithic sites have been surveyed. The data collected show that the territories investigated have been occupied since the Lower Palaeolithic. The large number of archaeological sites found, all periods combined, reflects the archaeological richness of this Syrian region. However, the major contributions of our work are the discovery of the Natufian and the megaliths.

Publications

SELECTED ARTICLES IN JOURNALS

HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., AL-MAQDISSI, M., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., TEIRA, L., 2005, « Prospections archéologiques à l’Ouest de la ville de Homs : rapport préliminaire, campagne 2004 », Tempora (Annales d’Histoire et d’Archéologie, Université Saint-Joseph, Beyrouth), Vol. 14-15, p. 59-91.

HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., AL-MAQDISSI, M., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., TEIRA, L., 2007, « New data on the Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic of the Homs Gap: Three campaigns of archaeological survey (2004-2006) », Neo-Lithics 1/07, p. 3-9.

HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., AL-MAQDISSI, M., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., TEIRA, L., 2008, « Prospections archéologiques à l’Ouest de la ville de Homs : rapport préliminaire, campagne 2005 », Tempora (Annales d’Histoire et d’Archéologie, Université Saint-Joseph, Beyrouth), Vol. 16-17, (années 2005-2006), p. 9-38.

HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., AL-MAQDISSI, M., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., TEIRA, L., RODRÍGUEZ , A. , TERRADAS, X., BOIX, J., TAPIA, J., SABREEN, E., 2009, « Prospections archéologiques à l’Ouest de la ville de Homs : campagnes 2006-2007 », Tempora (Annales d’Histoire et d’Archéologie, Université Saint-Joseph, Beyrouth), Vol. 18 (2007-2009), p. 7-49.

RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ, A., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J.E., IBÁÑEZ, J.J, M., AL-MAQDISSI, M., TERRADAS, X., ZAPATA L., 2010, « Jeftelik: A New Early Natufian Site in The Levant (Homs Gap, Syria) », Antiquity Vol. 84, issue 323, March 2010, on line: http://www.antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/ibanez323/

HIMI, M., ARMENDARIZ, A., TEIRA, L., GONZÁLEZ, J., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., CASAS, A., 2016, Geophysical and Archaeological Evidences of Buried Epipalaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age and Roman Architecture in West-Central Syria.Archaeological Prospection 9999. Published online in Wiley Online Library https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1543

ARMENDÁRIZ, A., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., GONZÁLEZ, J.E., RODRÍGUEZ A., TEIRA, L., 2018, El Natufiense del levente mediterráneo y el nuevo sitio de Jeftelik (Siria centro-occidental), Anejos de NAILOS, Estudioas Interdisciplinares de Archeología, Asociación de Profesionales Independientes de la Arqueología de Asturias, nº 4, p. 21-39.

SELECTED ARTICLES IN BOOKS

ARMENDÁRIZ, A., TEIRA, L., AL-MAQDISSI, M., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J. and GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., 2008a, « The megalithic necropolises in the Homs Gap (Syria). A preliminary approach », in: CÓRDOBA J., MOLIST M., PÉREZ C., RUBIO I. MARTÍNEZ S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 5th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East , Vol. I, p. 151-162, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Ediciones, Madrid, April 3-8, 2006.

IBÁÑEZ, J.J., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., AL-MAQDISSI, M., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., TEIRA, L., 2008b, « Archaeological survey in the Homs Gap (Syria). Campaigns of 2004 and 2005 », in: CÓRDOBA J., MOLIST M., PÉREZ C., RUBIO I. MARTÍNEZ S. (eds.), Proceedings of the 5th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, Vol. II, p. 187-203, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Ediciones, Madrid, April 3-8, 2006.

IBÁÑEZ, J.J, HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., AL-MAQDISSI, M., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J.,TEIRA, L., 2010, « Découverte de nécropoles mégalithiques à l’ouest de Homs », in : AL-MAQDISSI, M., BRAEMER, F. et DENTZER, J.-M. (dirs.), Hauran V. La Syrie du sud du Néolithique à l’antiquité tardive. Recherches récentes, Actes du colloque de Damas 2007, Vol. I, p. 359-366, Bibliothèque archéologique et historique T. 191, IFPO, Beyrouth.

ARMENDÁRIZ, A., IBÁÑEZ, J.J, M., AL-MAQDISSI, M., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., TEIRA, L. GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., 2011, « The megalithic necropolises at the West of Homs (Syria) », in: STEIMER-HERBET T. (dir.), Pierres levées, stèles anthropomorphes et dolmens/Standing stones, anthropomorphic stelae and dolmens, Colloque International, Amman 15-17 juin 2007, BAR IS XXXX, p. 55-65.

ARMENDARIZ GUTIERREZ, A., TEIRAL, L. TAPIA SAGRANA, J., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI M., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO J.E., IBÁÑEZ ESTEVEZ, J.J, 2012, « Las necrópolis megalíticas de la región de Homs (Siria) », in: MUÑIZ ÁLVAREZ, J. R., (Coord.), AD ORIENTEM. Del final del Paleolitico en el norte de España a las primeras civilizacions del Oriente Próximo. Universidad de Oviedo- Ménsula Ediciones, pp.479-499.

IBÁÑEZ, J.J., TERRADAS, X., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J., TEIRA, L., BRAEMER, F., GOURICHON, L., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ, A., 2012, « Nouvelles données sur les architectures des sites natoufiens de Jeftelik et Qarassa 3 (Syrie centro-occidentale et du sud) », in : MONTERO FENELLÓS J.-L (éd.), Du village néolithique à la ville syro-mésopotamienne, Vème Rencontre Syro-Franco-Ibérique d’Archéologie et d’Historie Ancienne du Proche-Orient 21-22 novembre 2011, Facultade de Humanidades, Universidade da Coruña, Bibliotheca Euphratica Vol. 1, p. 9-33.

RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ, A., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J.E., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., AL-MAQDISSI, M., TERRADAS, X., ZAPATA, L., 2013, «The Early Natufian Site of Jeftelik (Homs Gap, Syria) », in : BAR-YOSEF O. & VALLA F.R. (eds.), Natufian Foragers in the Levant. International Monographs in Prehistory. Archaeological Series 19. Ann Arbor, Michigan, p. 61-72.

POSTERS

GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J.E., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., AL-MAQDISSI, M., 2009, Tell Al Marj: a New PN Site in the Homs Gap, Interpreting the Late Neolithic of Upper Mesopotamia, Conference, 26-28 March 2009, The National Museum of Archaeology, Leiden.

RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ, A., ARMENDÁRIZ, A., PERALES, U., TERRADAS, X., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J.E., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., ZAPATA, L., TEIRA, L., ARRANZ A., 2012, The Lithic Assemblage of Jeftelik, an Early Natufian Site in the Homs Gap, 7th International Conference on the Chipped and Ground Stone Industries of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN7), 14-17 February, Centre d’Estudis I Recursos Culturals/Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

GONZÁLEZ URQUIJO, J.E., LAZUÉN, T., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., TEIRA, L., IBÁÑEZ, J. J., 2012, Arrowheads and sickles. Lithic Tools at the Pottery Neolithic Site of Tell Al Marj (Syria), 7th International Conference on the Chipped and Ground Stone Industries of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN7), 14-17 February, Centre d’Estudis I Recursos Culturals/Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., AL-MAQDISSI, M., 2015, Archaeological Discoveries in the Homs Gap by a Syrian-Lebanese-Spanish Mission (2004-2010), ISCACH (International Syrian Congress on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage), 3-6 December, Gefinor Rotana Hotel, Beirut.

Within the context of a Lebanese-Spanish mission co-directed by Maya Haidar-Boustani (Museum of Lebanese Prehistory) and Juan Jose Ibanez (CSIC-Barcelona), archeological investigations were conducted at Tell Labwe South in 2011. Located in the Beqa’ Valley, 30 kilometers to the north of Baalbek, this well-known site was surveyed by Diana Kirkbride in 1966. The first objective of the 2011 campaign was to complete the data found through the surveys by applying a multidisciplinary approach. The stratigraphy of the largest preserved section of the Tell revealed 4 levels from the end of the Middle PPNB/beginning of the Recent PPNB (level IV) until the Pottery Neolithic (level I), which are rich in architectural remains, material and plant macroremains. According to the dates obtained, the foundation of the village dates back to the end of the 7th millennium BC (8100 ± 40 BP) and the last occupation to the beginning of the 6th millennium BC (7640 ± 40 BP). According to the current state of knowledge, it is the oldest sedentary settlement in Lebanon where the domestication of cereals and slaughter animals is attested. The first villagers of Labwe were not isolated from the rest of the world. The presence of pieces in obsidian, a nonlocal raw material, testifies contacts with Turkey. Physicochemical analysis have shown that this material came from Cappadocia, Taurus and Lake Van.

Publications

ARTICLE IN A JOURNAL

HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M. et IBÁÑEZ, J.J. Avec les contributions de Amaia ARRANZ, Bernard GRATUZE, Mahjoub HIMI, Lamya KHALIDI et Luis TEIRA, 2014, « Nouveaux travaux archéologiques à Tell Labwé Sud (Béqa‛ nord). Campagne 2011», BAAL 15 (2011), p. 5-28.

ARTICLE IN A BOOK

KHALIDI, L., GRATUZE, B., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J. and TEIRA, L. 2013, « Results of Geochemical Analyses of Obsidian Artefacts from the Neolithic Site of Tell Labwe South, Lebanon », 7th Conference on PPN Chipped and Ground Stone Industries of the Fertile Crescent, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Servei de Publicacions, Spain, p. 475-494.

POSTERS

HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., KHALIDI, L., HIMI, M., ARRANZ, A., TEIRA, L., 2012, New Archaeological works in Tell Labwe South (Beqa‛ Valley, Lebanon), 7th International Conference on the Chipped and Ground Stone Industries of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN7), 14-17 February, Centre d’Estudis I Recursos Culturals/Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

GYUROVA, D., ARRANZ-ORTEGUI ,A., RICHTER,T., SAGNELLI, D., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., IBÁÑEZ, J.J., 2016, The Plant Macroremains from Late PPNB and Early Pottery Neolithic at Tell Labwe South (Lebanon), 17th Conference of the International Work Group for Palaeoethnobotany (IWGP), July 4-9, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris.

As part of this project, which constitutes an extension to the initial ANR-PaléoSyr project, led by Bernard Geyer (Archéorient) and Franck Braemer (CEPAM) (2011-2014), The Museum of Lebanese Prehistory collaborated during the field campaign aimed at taking samples (cores) from the wet sediments of the Beqa‛ and to supply the database of archaeological sites. Also an exhibition entitled Man and Landscape in Lebanon: 200,000 years of adaptation was produced in 2015 (see Activities and Events).

The archaeological field research conducted in Qleiaat (Kesrouan- Mount Lebanon) by a French-Lebanese mission co-directed by Johnny Samuel Baldi (ifpo, Beirut) and Maya Haïdar- Boustani (Museum of Lebanese Prehistory) revealed a site occupied from the Pottery Neolithic (6500 – 5800 BC) until the Early Bronze Age III (2800 – 2600 BC).

The project for the protection and valorization of the megaliths of Menjez (Akkar-Lebanon) was financed by the Cultural Protection Fund- British Council (Application Reference N. CPS-552-17). Carried out between 2018 and 2019, this project, the first of its kind in Lebanon, was led by the Laboratory of Prehistoric Archeology and Anthropology of the University of Geneva (Marie Besse and Tara Steimer-Herbet), in partnership with the municipality of Menjez (M. Georges Youssef), The Museum of Lebanese Prehistory (Maya Haïdar-Boustani) and the Castle-Museum of Prehistory, Bélesta-France (Valérie Porra-Kuteni). Over time, the megalithic sites of Menjez have undergone changes and even destruction which caused the disappearance of a certain number. The monuments visible today are the only witnesses of this ancient archaeological heritage dating back to the period between 4500 and 2000 BC. As part of this project, eleven megalithic sites have been selected in order to preserve them and make them accessible for the public. A route for the visit has been set up as well as the "Heritage House" designed as a small center where visitors can get information about Menjez and its heritage, they can also participate in cultural activities and visit the permanent exhibition. The aim of this exhibition is to presents the heritage of Menjez, particularly its megaliths. The results of the work carried out in the 1950-1960 by the Jesuit father Maurice Tallon who documented and excavated the megalithic sites of Menjez and its surroundings, and also the artefacts he discovered, are at the center of this exhibition. The archaeological ones are kept at The Museum of Lebanese Prehistory, while their replicas are shown in the exhibition.
www.menjez-heritage.com

Publications

ARTICLES IN JOURNALS

STEIMER-HERBET, T., COUSSEAU, F., PORRA-KUTEN,I V., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., CAMINADA, A. et BESSE, M., 2018, « Ancêtres et serpents dans les dolmens de Menjez (Akkar, Liban). Étude préliminaire d’une cohabitation singulière, vers 3500 avant notre ère », BAAL 18, p. 389-396.

STEIMER-HERBET, T., COUSSEAU, F., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., PORRA-KUTENI, V., CAMINADA, A. et BESSE, M.,2019, « Monuments mégalithiques de Menjez (Akkar): études des architectures et gravures. Campagne 2018», BAAL 19, p. 229-258.

STEIMER-HERBET T., COUSSEAU F., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI M., PORRA-KUTENI V., BESSE M. 2020, « Megalithic art in the Levantine Rift Valley: The case of the Menjez megalithic monuments in the Akkar (Northern Lebanon) », Akkadica 141 (fasc.1), p. 1-24.

BOOKLET

STEIMER-HERBET, T., HAÏDAR-BOUSTANI, M., PORRA-KUTENI, V., with contributions from: COUSSEAU, F., CAMINADA, A., YOUSSEF, G.et BESSE, M., 2019,Memories in the Rock. Mankind’s Memories. Archaeological Heritage of Menjez. Beirut, Impression Salim Dabbous Printing Company s.a.r.l.