Bronze Age necropolis of Byblos
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| Bronze Age necropolis of Byblos | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Bronze Age necropolis of Byblos | |
| Coordinates | 34°07′07″N 35°38′51″E / 34.1185°N 35.6475°E |
| Built for | Resting place of the Gebalite elite |
| Governing body | Lebanese Directorate General of Antiquities |
The Bronze Age necropolis of Byblos is a group of eight Bronze Age underground rock-cut tombs that were discovered undisturbed in Byblos (modern Jbeil), a coastal city in Lebanon, and one of the oldest continuously populated cities in the world.
Located 33 km (21 mi) north of Beirut,[1] ancient Byblos/Gebal (modern name: Jbeil/Gebeil) lies south of the city's medieval center. It sits on a seaside promontory consisting of two hills separated by a dell. A 22 m (72 ft) deep well provided the settlement with fresh water.[2] The highly defensible archeological tell of Byblos is flanked by two harbors that were used for sea trade.[2] The entrances to the Bronze Age necropolis of Byblos is located just outside the southern gate of the ancient acropolis. This area revealed a series of rock-cut tombs extending beneath the walls of the sacred precinct, towards the large temple complexes.[3]
History and excavation
Byblos (Jbeil), a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period _around nine thousand years. During the Middle Bronze Age (the second millennium BC), Byblos experienced intense commercial activity and cultural interaction with Ancient Egypt.[4]
The necropolis was uncovered during archaeological excavations begun in 2019.[3] The discovery was made while researchers were investigating a previously unexplored area of the ancient acropolis of Byblos.[3] From 2019 and for three consecutive years, excavations were carried out, in collaboration with the French archaeologist Julien Chanteau from the Louvre Museum.[4] The underground tombs, known as hypogea, were carved into the soft rock and arranged both side by side and stacked vertically, connected by passages and staircases.[3] The tombs were the subject of a documentary by Philippe Aractingi and Jonas Rosales, titled Lebanon, Secrets of the Kingdom of Byblos (Liban, les secrets du Royaume de Byblos), broadcast on Arte.[4]
Description
The necropolis consists of a series of undisturbed interconnected underground rock-cut tombs, designed to house the elite of Byblos during the Bronze Age. The tombs were strategically placed just outside the sacred acropolis, where the temples and royal palaces were located, but extended beneath the walls towards the temple complexes. This positioning was intentional, as it allowed the elite to be buried as close as possible to their rulers, symbolizing their status both in life and in death. The layout of the tombs also suggests a possible connection to the temple of the Obelisks, one of the largest temples on the acropolis, which may indicate a link to an ancestor cult.[3][5]