Papers by The Joint Expedition to Chhim and Jiyeh, Lebanon. Polish-Lebanese Mission
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean, 2023
Quantitative and qualitative analyses of marble finds at ancient sites are rare, one of the reaso... more Quantitative and qualitative analyses of marble finds at ancient sites are rare, one of the reasons being the lack of standard measures enabling comparison of different assemblages. The paper discusses the applicability and limitations of various methods of quantitative and qualitative analyses, which were tested on datasets of marble objects and excavation results from three medium-sized early Byzantine settlements: Hawara, Porphyreon, and Philoxenite. The tests involved the comparison of volume measurement results obtained for different functional and material-based classes of objects. The analyses confirmed a significant variability among the assemblages, which seems to have been related to the diverse geographic location and socio-religious significance of the settlements. Besides proving the applicability of the methods used, the study has indicated their potential for use in reconstructing consumption patterns in various types of settlements and investigating their intra-and supra-regional diversity.
Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft, 2023
This paper discusses the inscription from a censer retrived from al Giyya/Jiyeh (Lbanon), now in ... more This paper discusses the inscription from a censer retrived from al Giyya/Jiyeh (Lbanon), now in the British Museu. The inscription is apparently the first attestation of the presumed ancient name of Jiyeh found on site, here also accompanied with a designation of the settlement's status as KOME or "village". A new reading of the name of the patron saint of the church who once owned the censer is also offered: Isaiah instead of Elijah.
K. Galor, T. Waliszewski, eds., From Antioch to Alexandria. Recent Studies in Domestic Architecture, 2007
JIYEH/PORPHYREON by The Joint Expedition to Chhim and Jiyeh, Lebanon. Polish-Lebanese Mission
ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORY IN THE LEBANON 50-51, 2019
The article aims to present unpublished information about the archaeological site at Jiyeh (ancie... more The article aims to present unpublished information about the archaeological site at Jiyeh (ancient Porphyreon). The source material consists of R. Saidah’s archival photographs and plans. R. Saidah was the head of excavations conducted in Jiyeh in 1975. As this archaeological research was never published, the presented evidence and findings provide important additional information about the history of this site. The article focuses both on reproducing R. Saidah’s excavation work in Jiyeh and presenting his discoveries, especially those linked to the early Byzantine village. The archive material enables broadening our knowledge of the buildings that had been uncovered, some of which were later partially destroyed. In addition, archival photos depict some unpublished artefacts from R. Saidah’s excavations, including well-preserved bronze objects.
PAM 26.1
An archaeozoological analysis of mammal remains recovered from the dwelling units and streets of ... more An archaeozoological analysis of mammal remains recovered from the dwelling units and streets of ancient Porphyreon excavated in 2009, 2010 and 2012, gives insight into the importance of mammals for the residents of this quarter in succeeding periods: from the Iron Age through the Persian and Hellenistic periods to Byzantine times. Husbandry lay at the base of the animal economy and was supplemented with hunting various species of gazelle. Cattle, sheep and goat were the most numerous livestock species represented in the archaeological record. The high percentage of cattle observed in Iron Age deposits could have resulted from the agricultural lifestyle of the population. Starting from the Persian period, sheep and goat played the most prominent role in the animal economy, implying a pastoral model of husbandry. Raising goats for meat was more significant initially; from the Hellenistic period onwards, the number of sheep reared for milk and wool increased. Pigs constituted a minor percentage of the livestock. The presence of equid remains, including horse and donkey, was confirmed for the Persian period, when these animals were used for transportation.
PAM 25
A terracotta mask discovered at the site of Jiyeh (ancient Porphyreon) in Lebanon, on the Mediter... more A terracotta mask discovered at the site of Jiyeh (ancient Porphyreon) in Lebanon, on the Mediterranean coast between Beirut and Sidon, underwent conservation and restoration in 2014. A silicone cast of the object was made as part of the process, which included reconstruction of the losses and final retouch. The state of preservation of the object was assessed during the course of the conservation. A study of the production technique permitted the mask production process to be reconstructed to a large extent.
Archeological work in the 2012 and 2013 seasons in Jiyeh (Porhyreon), which lies on the Phoenicia... more Archeological work in the 2012 and 2013 seasons in Jiyeh (Porhyreon), which lies on the Phoenician coast north of ancient Sidon, was focused on reconstructing the history of settlement on the site. At least three phases were identified and dated to the Iron Age II, the Persian–Hellenis-tic–Roman period and late antiquity. The early dating of the functioning of the Christian basilica to the 4th–5th century AD was also confirmed in trial pits. The complex and unusual sewage installation discharging rainwater from the roofs and streets of the 5th century settlement contributed important data for studies of late antique domestic architecture in the region.
Excavations at two archaeological sites between Berytus and Sidon: the coastal settlement of Porp... more Excavations at two archaeological sites between Berytus and Sidon: the coastal settlement of Porphyreon (Jiyeh) and the nearby mountain village of Chhim, carried out by the Polish-Lebanese Archaeological Expedition, yielded signifi cant amounts of terra sigillata and red slip wares which were the basic categories of fi ne pottery from the Late Hellenistic through the Late Antique and Early Byzantine periods. Other fi ne wares are represented by very scarce fragments of Early Roman glazed vessels. The excavations and processing of fi ne pottery are still in progress and the aim of this paper is to present basic information on the provenance, typo-logy and chronology of the fi nds collected so far. The same methodological approach to the materials from both sites gave us an exceptional opportunity to compare the supply patterns of the costal settlement involved in maritime trade and various crafts activity with those of the mountain village located ca. 7 km from the coast, which profi ted mainly from large-scale olive-oil production. The best preserved and exposed structures at the two sites are dated to the Late Antique and Early Byzantine periods, while the evidence of earlier settlement activities could be mostly collected from trial pits. Taking into account the specifi c character of each explored context, it can be stated that the proportions of the fi ne wares dominating on the Levantine market are similar at both investigated sites: Eastern Sigillata A in the Early Roman times and Late Roman C/Phocean Red Slip Ware in the Late Antique and Early Byzantine periods. The main difference consists in the less signifi cant presence in the mountain village of the products from Pamphylia and North Africa (Eastern Sigillata D/ " Cypriot " Sigillata, Late Roman D/ " Cypriot " Red Slip Ware and African Red Slip Ware) which were imported less regularly , and in the absence of some uncommon wares imported from distant regions, especially from the western Mediterranean, which reached harbour sites not only as merchant ship cargos but also due to people's mobility and individual exchange of commodities.
This is the second edition of a study of ceramics from Jiyeh/Porphyreon.
Substantive revisions i... more This is the second edition of a study of ceramics from Jiyeh/Porphyreon.
Substantive revisions in the text of the second edition
- page 34 Fig. 2-7, last column, amphora type identification changed from AM 14 to Agora M 334
- page 44 right column, two paragraphs at bottom, new interpretation of the stamp illustrated in Pl. 3:18, changing the previous reading according to a different suggested restoration of the stamp
- page 44 Table 3-1, dates revised according to the new calculations, removed column with Tyre dating, irrelevant to the discussion
- page 103 right column, interpretation changed from Sidonian to the Seleucid era, in accordance with the revisions on page 44
- page 110 right column, “Beirut and Jiyeh” changed to “Berytus and Porphyreon”
- page 117 “12th century BC” changed to “Late Bronze Age” based on personal communication
References added:
Houghton, A., Lorber, C.C., and Hoover, O.D. (2008). Seleucid coins: A comprehensive catalogue II. Seleucus IV through Antiochus XIII. New York–Lancaster: American Numismatic Society; Classical Numismatic Group
The pottery workshop in the town of Porphyreon on the Phoenician coast (modern Jiyeh in Lebanon), a site midway between Beirut and Sidon (modern Saida), operated on a local scale, producing mainly amphorae and kitchen vessels. It was an important cog in the wheels of the region's economy from the middle of the 2nd century BC to the 7th century AD.
A Polish–Lebanese rescue project in 2004 probed a Hellenistic and Roman pottery production zone in the town. The assemblage of ceramic vessels and wasters that was recorded supported an extensive study of the local repertory of vessels produced, as well as the clay of which they were made. Porphyreon, thus, became the second, after Berytus, Hellenistic and Roman pottery production site to be excavated on the Lebanese coast, whereas laboratory analyses of the chemical composition of the clay have supplied a key criterion for distinguishing locally made vessels from other ceramic production in Phoenicia.
The study presents the ceramic assemblage from Jiyeh, including a typological and chronological classification of the vessels, and discusses the finds in relation to trends and phenomena typical of Phoenician pottery production in the periods in question. The overall picture of local workshop output contributes important insights into the history of ancient trade and craftsmanship in central Phoenicia.
A formal examination of the ceramic material, combined with a review of ancient sources, written and other, sheds light on the administrative status of the settlement in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, placing it convincingly in the hinterland of Sidon rather than Berytus. Moreover, it has added a unique small-town perspective to the study of the economy of ancient Phoenicia, based so far chiefly on data from the large urban centres like Sidon, Tyre and Berytus.
Ancient Porphyreon (Jiyeh/Nebi Younis) was a large rural settlement located on the coast of moder... more Ancient Porphyreon (Jiyeh/Nebi Younis) was a large rural settlement located on the coast of modern-day Lebanon, near the Phoenician city of Sidon. This article presents the initial research results of the stratigraphic data, extending from at least the eighth century BC to the seventh century AD, and how Phoenician village functioned. Analysis proves that it played a significant role in the local economy—on the one hand, providing for the city of Sidon and, on the other, mediating the exchange of goods with rural settlements, scattered across the mountainous hinterland. Uncovering the mysteries of this coastal settlement is extremely important, especially in light of the increasing threat to the archaeological heritage of Lebanon.
Imported marble vessels from Jiyeh (Porphyreon), a site on the Phoenician coast,
could not be ea... more Imported marble vessels from Jiyeh (Porphyreon), a site on the Phoenician coast,
could not be easily identified in terms of function and dating for lack of sound stratigraphic
evidence. An examination of parallels from other sites in the Eastern Mediterranean was
needed in order to determine the chronology and uses of these objects. Virtually all of the
Jiyeh vessels were thus dated to the early Byzantine period. Forms included utilitarian
mortars and plates, as well as tentative liturgical tabletops. The repertoire represents standard exports of vessels of these shapes to Syro-Palestine from Greece and Asia Minor. Their distribution in Syro-Palestine was conditioned by geographical factors, as well as the affluence of settlements that imported such objects.
Topoi Suppl. 13 (2015), 2015
Ida oggiano, « Le sanctuaire de Kharayeb et l'évolution de l'imagerie phénicienne dans l'arrière-... more Ida oggiano, « Le sanctuaire de Kharayeb et l'évolution de l'imagerie phénicienne dans l'arrière-pays de Tyr » 239-266 Sandrine Élaigne, « La vaisselle de table en Phénicie à l'époque hellénistique » 267-294 Hélène eristov, « Le décor des maisons hellénistiques de Beyrouth » 295-314 Mémoires de la Phénicie hellénistique Corinne Bonnet, « Le siège de Tyr par Alexandre et la mémoire des vainqueurs » 315-334 Giuseppe garBati, « Le relazioni tra Cartagine e Tiro in età ellenistica. Presente e memoria nel tophet di Salammbô » 335-353 Julien aliquot, « Bibulus, fondateur de Byblos » 355-365 Maurice sartre, « Conclusions » 367-374 Julien aliquot, « Index » 375-396 Topoi Suppl. 13 (2015) p. 155-179 Jiyeh (PoRPhyReon) nouvelles découvertes sur le territoire de Sidon à l'époque hellénistique « It is at the nexus between the cities and the land that our information breaks down. » Bagnall 1976, p. 23
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean
A geophysical survey1 was undertaken in 2003 when it became apparent that fast-paced earthworks u... more A geophysical survey1 was undertaken in 2003 when it became apparent that fast-paced earthworks under modern construction development in parts of the site (a section of the necropolis in the north and a part of the settlement in the south) were leading to a rapid deterioration of surviving remains. Advantage was taken of the situation to continue testing geophysical method applications,
adding to the body of evidence on the usefulness of the resistivity and magnetic methods for archaeological prospection under specific site conditions.
A comprehensive historical background and history of excavations are under preparation for BAAL 8... more A comprehensive historical background and history of excavations are under preparation for BAAL 8 (2004). 3 The excavations were carried out under the guidance of Roger Saidah.
The site of Jiyeh (Jiye), situated some 20 km south of Beirut, between a shallow bay on the Medit... more The site of Jiyeh (Jiye), situated some 20 km south of Beirut, between a shallow bay on the Mediterranean coast and the Beirut-Saida highway, was explored by a joint Polish- Lebanese mission from August 31 to October 1, 2004
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Papers by The Joint Expedition to Chhim and Jiyeh, Lebanon. Polish-Lebanese Mission
JIYEH/PORPHYREON by The Joint Expedition to Chhim and Jiyeh, Lebanon. Polish-Lebanese Mission
Substantive revisions in the text of the second edition
- page 34 Fig. 2-7, last column, amphora type identification changed from AM 14 to Agora M 334
- page 44 right column, two paragraphs at bottom, new interpretation of the stamp illustrated in Pl. 3:18, changing the previous reading according to a different suggested restoration of the stamp
- page 44 Table 3-1, dates revised according to the new calculations, removed column with Tyre dating, irrelevant to the discussion
- page 103 right column, interpretation changed from Sidonian to the Seleucid era, in accordance with the revisions on page 44
- page 110 right column, “Beirut and Jiyeh” changed to “Berytus and Porphyreon”
- page 117 “12th century BC” changed to “Late Bronze Age” based on personal communication
References added:
Houghton, A., Lorber, C.C., and Hoover, O.D. (2008). Seleucid coins: A comprehensive catalogue II. Seleucus IV through Antiochus XIII. New York–Lancaster: American Numismatic Society; Classical Numismatic Group
The pottery workshop in the town of Porphyreon on the Phoenician coast (modern Jiyeh in Lebanon), a site midway between Beirut and Sidon (modern Saida), operated on a local scale, producing mainly amphorae and kitchen vessels. It was an important cog in the wheels of the region's economy from the middle of the 2nd century BC to the 7th century AD.
A Polish–Lebanese rescue project in 2004 probed a Hellenistic and Roman pottery production zone in the town. The assemblage of ceramic vessels and wasters that was recorded supported an extensive study of the local repertory of vessels produced, as well as the clay of which they were made. Porphyreon, thus, became the second, after Berytus, Hellenistic and Roman pottery production site to be excavated on the Lebanese coast, whereas laboratory analyses of the chemical composition of the clay have supplied a key criterion for distinguishing locally made vessels from other ceramic production in Phoenicia.
The study presents the ceramic assemblage from Jiyeh, including a typological and chronological classification of the vessels, and discusses the finds in relation to trends and phenomena typical of Phoenician pottery production in the periods in question. The overall picture of local workshop output contributes important insights into the history of ancient trade and craftsmanship in central Phoenicia.
A formal examination of the ceramic material, combined with a review of ancient sources, written and other, sheds light on the administrative status of the settlement in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, placing it convincingly in the hinterland of Sidon rather than Berytus. Moreover, it has added a unique small-town perspective to the study of the economy of ancient Phoenicia, based so far chiefly on data from the large urban centres like Sidon, Tyre and Berytus.
could not be easily identified in terms of function and dating for lack of sound stratigraphic
evidence. An examination of parallels from other sites in the Eastern Mediterranean was
needed in order to determine the chronology and uses of these objects. Virtually all of the
Jiyeh vessels were thus dated to the early Byzantine period. Forms included utilitarian
mortars and plates, as well as tentative liturgical tabletops. The repertoire represents standard exports of vessels of these shapes to Syro-Palestine from Greece and Asia Minor. Their distribution in Syro-Palestine was conditioned by geographical factors, as well as the affluence of settlements that imported such objects.
adding to the body of evidence on the usefulness of the resistivity and magnetic methods for archaeological prospection under specific site conditions.
Substantive revisions in the text of the second edition
- page 34 Fig. 2-7, last column, amphora type identification changed from AM 14 to Agora M 334
- page 44 right column, two paragraphs at bottom, new interpretation of the stamp illustrated in Pl. 3:18, changing the previous reading according to a different suggested restoration of the stamp
- page 44 Table 3-1, dates revised according to the new calculations, removed column with Tyre dating, irrelevant to the discussion
- page 103 right column, interpretation changed from Sidonian to the Seleucid era, in accordance with the revisions on page 44
- page 110 right column, “Beirut and Jiyeh” changed to “Berytus and Porphyreon”
- page 117 “12th century BC” changed to “Late Bronze Age” based on personal communication
References added:
Houghton, A., Lorber, C.C., and Hoover, O.D. (2008). Seleucid coins: A comprehensive catalogue II. Seleucus IV through Antiochus XIII. New York–Lancaster: American Numismatic Society; Classical Numismatic Group
The pottery workshop in the town of Porphyreon on the Phoenician coast (modern Jiyeh in Lebanon), a site midway between Beirut and Sidon (modern Saida), operated on a local scale, producing mainly amphorae and kitchen vessels. It was an important cog in the wheels of the region's economy from the middle of the 2nd century BC to the 7th century AD.
A Polish–Lebanese rescue project in 2004 probed a Hellenistic and Roman pottery production zone in the town. The assemblage of ceramic vessels and wasters that was recorded supported an extensive study of the local repertory of vessels produced, as well as the clay of which they were made. Porphyreon, thus, became the second, after Berytus, Hellenistic and Roman pottery production site to be excavated on the Lebanese coast, whereas laboratory analyses of the chemical composition of the clay have supplied a key criterion for distinguishing locally made vessels from other ceramic production in Phoenicia.
The study presents the ceramic assemblage from Jiyeh, including a typological and chronological classification of the vessels, and discusses the finds in relation to trends and phenomena typical of Phoenician pottery production in the periods in question. The overall picture of local workshop output contributes important insights into the history of ancient trade and craftsmanship in central Phoenicia.
A formal examination of the ceramic material, combined with a review of ancient sources, written and other, sheds light on the administrative status of the settlement in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, placing it convincingly in the hinterland of Sidon rather than Berytus. Moreover, it has added a unique small-town perspective to the study of the economy of ancient Phoenicia, based so far chiefly on data from the large urban centres like Sidon, Tyre and Berytus.
could not be easily identified in terms of function and dating for lack of sound stratigraphic
evidence. An examination of parallels from other sites in the Eastern Mediterranean was
needed in order to determine the chronology and uses of these objects. Virtually all of the
Jiyeh vessels were thus dated to the early Byzantine period. Forms included utilitarian
mortars and plates, as well as tentative liturgical tabletops. The repertoire represents standard exports of vessels of these shapes to Syro-Palestine from Greece and Asia Minor. Their distribution in Syro-Palestine was conditioned by geographical factors, as well as the affluence of settlements that imported such objects.
adding to the body of evidence on the usefulness of the resistivity and magnetic methods for archaeological prospection under specific site conditions.
flies from the Mediterranean coast. Archaeological work was supplemented with an extensive conservation and reconstruction program carried out between August 24 and September 21 by specialists from the Fine Arts Academy in Warsaw.2 The campaign was devoted to completing the exploration of the Byzantine basilica E, uncovering the narthex and atrium, clearing the Roman-Byzantine habitation and domestic complex F, excavating the structures underlying the Roman temple
C and exploring and recording two oil presses E.II and E. III [Fig. 1].3
complete the work in the temenos area, gaining new data on the layout and chronology of successive sanctuaries and their immediate neighborhood. As for the village, the present work
added to our knowledge of the plan and development of the settlement. Studies of the collected material proceeded concurrently with the excavations.
With an eye to clarifying matters of chronology and stratigraphy the mission concentrated on digging in the area of the temenos situated in front of the Roman temple and of the dwellings immediately north of it (Fig. 1). Progress was also made in the uncovering of the E.II oil-press located on the terrace above the Byzantine basilica.
place between August 16 and October 1, 2004.1 Archaeological work was a continuation of previous activities in the two sectors: temenos A (courtyard in front of the Roman temple) and the towers in the northern part, north and northeast of said temple. The chief objectives included completing the exploration of the temenos (new data on layout and chronology) and furthering knowledge of the village plan and its development. Studies on the material were also continued during the season.
temple, and streets E.XXV and room E.XXVI situated in the immediate vicinity of oil press E.II, on terraces above the church. Emphasis was placed on clarifying the chronology of particular buildings and on understanding the layout of the village through the discovery of further sections of the plan. Some limited testing was also undertaken. Essential conservation work was also carried out in the course of the season in the Byzantine basilica.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
This book is published open access. It can be downloaded:
https://www.peeters-leuven.be/pdf/9789042945456.pdf
https://www.peeters-leuven.be/detail.php?search_key=9789042945449&series_number_str=4&lang=en
The volume is the outcome of intermittent studies on the archaeological pottery assemblage excavated from Chhim, an ancient village site in the mountains of central Lebanon. It is the first such comprehensive presentation of common wares and amphorae from the rural hinterland of Phoenicia in classical Antiquity and the Late Antique period.
Unbecoming at first glance, these ceramics, which are the fabric of everyday life, as well as Hellenistic Phoenician tableware, have told their own story. Presented in the cultural and economic context of central Phoenicia, taking into consideration local and regional histories, as well as evolving pottery-making traditions over time, these relatively modest vessels have mirrored a dynamic transition of Chhim from an isolated, if hallowed, hilltop sanctuary to a pulsing production site, one of the biggest producers of olive oil in the Sidon hinterland, and subsequently to a deserted village sinking into oblivion.