Khalde (Lebanon), 2017

Khalde

Dates of work: 13–17 August 2017

Team:
Director: Dr. Mariusz Gwiazda (freelance)
Topographer: Stanisław Rzeźnik (Archeomap Stanisław Rzeźnik)
Archaeologist: Karolina Jurczyk (freelance)
Ceramologist: Dr. Urszula Wicenciak (PCMA UW)

The project objective was to record the architecture uncovered by Lebanese archaeologist at the site of Khalde (33°48’32.63″N, 35°28’53.36″E) in the 1970s. Both masonry and rock-cut structures were cleared from sand backfill and vegetation, at least three complexes of wine presses of Roman date were identified, one of these at least two-phased, featuring mosaic floors from the younger phase. Khalde also comprised limestone quarries. One of the quarries took advantage of a Roman-age tomb, preserving some pieces of Roman clay coffins. Poorly preserved remains of a bath with semicircular pool and hypocaust were traced next to a mysterious rock-cut building with four pillars. A ceramic survey of the site was also carried out.

Acknowledgments:
The Polish-Lebanese Archaeological Project is greatly indebted to the Minister of Culture Gaby Layoun, for permission to work, as well to Myriam Ziadé for making the work possible.

Text: Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 27/1

Contact

T. Waliszewski: twaliszewski(at)uw.edu.pl