The southern coastal city of Sidon has many archeological sites that still await discovery, according to report prepared by a Lebanese archeological association.
The report, prepared by Dr. Sami Farhat, a member of the Lebanese Association for Heritage and Archeological Studies, revealed that besides the famous Phoenician Eshmoun temple which lies at the northern entrance of Sidon, a temple to the goddess Astarte is located in the southern part of the city.
The report said that the structure used to stand in place of Hajj hospital, which is located near Saint Joseph school.
Farhat, who headed a delegation from the organization, handed a copy of the report to Sidon's Mayor Mohammad Saudi at the Municipality's headquarters in Sidon. It includes information about Sidon's history, archeological sites and geography and an action plan proposed by the association on how to reveal new historical sites in Sidon.
Among the information mentioned i is that the southern river of Zahrani, which lies outside Sidon, was named as such after "Zahran," one of Sidon's residents. The Awali River, which runs along the northern entrance of the city, was taken from the name of an ancient King "Loli."
Farhat outlined a number of steps that the organization voiced its readiness to embark upon.
These include excavating a 300-meter-long tunnel that, according to historical sources, existed long ago, and connected Sidon's seaside and land citadels. The group proposed renovating the two citadels along with the temple of Eshmoun, discovering and renovating the Astarte temple, refurbishing the streets and homes of the old city in Sidon and opening museums to display relics of the city's past.
Saudi said the delegation represent "a group of people with expertise and who have worked in other areas in Lebanon like Jbeil & they want to cooperate with Sidon's municipality in launching this project."
"We agreed that they forward a request in which they specify what they intend to do and based on this we will give them the answer," he added.