LEBANON: RECONSTRUCTION UNCOVERS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

(26 Dec 1995) English/Nat

A massive rebuilding programme is under way in Lebanon to repair damage done during years of civil war.

Bulldozers in the capital, Beirut, have brought to light a number of unrecorded archaeological sites.

One, beneath a Maronite Church, dates back to Roman times.

And in southern Lebanon, archaeologists have unearthed a Byzantine church built in the 4th century A-D.

Despite years of civil war, Beirut's skyline is still intact.

It's only when you walk into the streets of the capital's centre that the damage becomes apparent.

Building after building in some parts of this once bustling city are reduced almost to nothing -- the bulldozers add to the scene of devastation.

But some of the most exciting archaeological finds in the Middle East in years are now emerging from the rubble.

The legacy of civil war is a treasure trove for archaeologists.

This Roman site was discovered near the foundations of a Maronite Christian church.

A team of archaeologists is busy piecing together what appears to be a Roman city or house.

They have found Roman inscriptions, as well as toppled marble columns that suggest there was once a colonnade running along here.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
We have many things, we found pottery have inscription on it. They found like it in Cyprus, but they did not know what it means. In Beirut found it in a complete word which means Berytus colony, that means Beirut was part of the Roman period.
SUPERCAPTION: Leena Zuhairy, archaeologist

The thousands of pieces of pottery dug up at this site are now being methodically catalogued.

And, in some cases, pieced together again.

The Roman site is just one of a number that have come to light after
the bulldozers moved in to clear away the rubble of offices, stores and theatres shattered by the 1975-90 war.

A Crusader castle wall, a Phoenician wall and the remains of a city dating back to 4000 B-C have also been discovered.

The wealth of ancient sites led to a row earlier this year when archaeologists attacked the government for its haste to rebuild on some of the sites.

Archaeologists argue that Lebanon's cultural and archaeological heritage could be as lucrative for the country as the government's drive for new business.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Politicians, and people in high position should realize the importance apart from being it is a heritage it is a culture, again it is an economical draw, because tourist when they come the first thing they ask for, is to go to archeological site, and it is very important.
SUPERCAPTION: Montaha Saghieyeh, archaeologist

And the tourists are beginning to arrive, often keen to see a city wracked by 15 years of civil war.

But, increasingly, they are being attracted by rumours of archaeological riches.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Prior to come here, we weren't aware, that there were so many other archaeological sites actually in Beirut. I mean we were aware of Byblos.
SUPERCAPTION: Shanon Plash, Australian tourist

And it's not just Beirut where ancient "treasure" is being found.

In Tyre in southern Lebanon, archaeologists have stumbled on a Byzantine church, under the foundations of the city's castle.

Several stairways have been unearthed along with a colonnade and a number of graves, apparently containing the remains of bishops.

They have been surprised by the materials used to build this 4th century church -- the columns are made of expensive green marble.

According to Lebanon's archaeologists, it is going to be a long time before the sun sets on their latest treasures.

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