Parts of a Byzantine church at the top of Jabal al-Kenaiseh were destroyed by treasure hunters, according to anthropologist Chamoun Mouannes, who lamented the attack and called on officials to protect the country’s archeological sites.
“We often cross rough roads in Lebanon, and we were very surprised when we saw a historical site at 2,100 meters above sea level, a temple dating to Roman times, with large parts of it destroyed and tampered with in search of treasures,” said Mouannes, who heads the hiking group, Club of the Hidden Roads and Foot Trails of Lebanon.
The structure witnessed a succession of peoples belonging to different historical eras before it was transformed into a Byzantine church, Mouannes said, affirming that the mountain, which stretches between the two villages of Falougha and Kfar Salwan, was named Al-Kenaiseh (church) after the structure.
Mouannes was surprised that those responsible for damaging the temple were able to reach the site.
“The temple can’t be reached except by foot and by taking rough roads amid scenes of towering rocks and beautiful natural sites,” Mouannes said. “What adds to the beauty and awe of the place is that it overlooks the Bekaa until Mount Haramoun, and you can see Beirut with your naked eye as well as Mount Sannine, Northern Metn, and Baalbek.”
The temple has important historic value, and extends over an area of ten meters in length and four meters in width, Mouannes said, adding that it was built below ground level and has small windows.
“The destruction of one of the temple’s sides is very clear and so is the debris caused by digging and moving rocks,” he added.
According to Mouannes, there is no information on this particular temple other than the fact that a German tourist in the last century found some coins in it dating back to the Byzantine era, mainly during the rule of Emperor Caracalla.
“There isn’t a lot of historical information on the temple,” Mouannes said, calling on the Tourism Ministry and the Directorate General of Antiquities to provide more information about it.
Mouannes added that near the temple, there were columns which had been destroyed decades ago, also amid searches for old treasures, as can be seen from large broken stones.
Mouannes also called on officials to protect remote archaeological sites in the country, which aren’t subject to the state’s direct supervision, especially as they are being targeted by treasure hunters who do not hesitate to damage them.
“These archeological sites are our real treasure, connecting us with our country’s history of thousands of years. This is why deterrent measures should be taken as a first step until these sites can be restored and added to our list of archaeological sites,” Mouannes said.
Author: Maher Zeineddine | Source: The Daily Star [July 22, 2011]
“We often cross rough roads in Lebanon, and we were very surprised when we saw a historical site at 2,100 meters above sea level, a temple dating to Roman times, with large parts of it destroyed and tampered with in search of treasures,” said Mouannes, who heads the hiking group, Club of the Hidden Roads and Foot Trails of Lebanon.
The structure witnessed a succession of peoples belonging to different historical eras before it was transformed into a Byzantine church, Mouannes said, affirming that the mountain, which stretches between the two villages of Falougha and Kfar Salwan, was named Al-Kenaiseh (church) after the structure.
Mouannes was surprised that those responsible for damaging the temple were able to reach the site.
“The temple can’t be reached except by foot and by taking rough roads amid scenes of towering rocks and beautiful natural sites,” Mouannes said. “What adds to the beauty and awe of the place is that it overlooks the Bekaa until Mount Haramoun, and you can see Beirut with your naked eye as well as Mount Sannine, Northern Metn, and Baalbek.”
The temple has important historic value, and extends over an area of ten meters in length and four meters in width, Mouannes said, adding that it was built below ground level and has small windows.
“The destruction of one of the temple’s sides is very clear and so is the debris caused by digging and moving rocks,” he added.
According to Mouannes, there is no information on this particular temple other than the fact that a German tourist in the last century found some coins in it dating back to the Byzantine era, mainly during the rule of Emperor Caracalla.
“There isn’t a lot of historical information on the temple,” Mouannes said, calling on the Tourism Ministry and the Directorate General of Antiquities to provide more information about it.
Mouannes added that near the temple, there were columns which had been destroyed decades ago, also amid searches for old treasures, as can be seen from large broken stones.
Mouannes also called on officials to protect remote archaeological sites in the country, which aren’t subject to the state’s direct supervision, especially as they are being targeted by treasure hunters who do not hesitate to damage them.
“These archeological sites are our real treasure, connecting us with our country’s history of thousands of years. This is why deterrent measures should be taken as a first step until these sites can be restored and added to our list of archaeological sites,” Mouannes said.
Author: Maher Zeineddine | Source: The Daily Star [July 22, 2011]