Nouvelles recherches archéologiques à Baalbek par l'Institut Allemand d'Archéologie, Berlin
From Colonia to Medina. Research on The Urban Development of Baalbek from Late Antiquity to Ottoman Period.
As known from historical sources and preserved buildings, the role of the Temples of Baalbek changed from a pagan pilgrimage site in Roman antiquity to a bishop's residence in late antiquity, and was finally transformed into a fortified citadel during the Islamic period.
How strongly the urban transformation of the city of Baalbek is connected to the changing role of the temples can be seen in one of the excavation areas. The so called “Bustan Nassif” is located south of the Roman Temples in front of the main gate to the medieval castle. At first glance this area seemed to be scattered with houses from the Ottoman period with a public bath constructed along a small path towards the citadel. But new research during the last three years of in Bustan Nassif by archaeologists and architects uncovered much earlier roots of the buildings. Therefore the area now plays a key role in understanding the urban development of the city of Baalbek after the Roman period.
This lecture will give an overview on the new discoveries in the area of Bustan Nassif and put them in context with the historical development of the city and the changing function of the roman temples from late antiquity until the Ottoman period.