ANCIENT LANDMARKS OF DERNA AND ITS REMAINS, “AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY”

Abstract

Derna is a Libyan city, it lies between the Mediterranean Sea in the north, and El Jebel Akhdar hills in the south, its location makes it vulnerable to any natural hazards that may come from its coast or from its mountainous forests, there is no doubt that; the natural hazards are among the most hard disasters that are difficult to intervene in at any time, It comes suddenly, and may cause great disasters in a short time, this is what actually happened on September 10, when a catastrophic storm called Storm Daniel entered eastern Libya, accompanied by large amounts of rain, which led to the filling of the Derna dams, one of which was forty meters high, and they collapsed the next day, the water flowed as a result of the hurricane and the collapsed dams, sweeping away five entire neighbourhoods of the city with it, causing the deaths of thousands, Derna turned into remains and ruins that drew tears of sadness on Libya's face, fear became in the heart of the all Arab world, and everyone began to think about any solutions to this unknown fate that might come as an unwanted visitor, unexpectedly!! But are there any adjustments that need to be made? Did Derna have the Protection Measures Against Potential Hazards? Is there a possibility of reconstructing the city and its archaeological and historical buildings? Are there any hopes of restoring the history of ancient Derna? and what are the most important historical and archaeological monuments that existed and were removed by this brutal hurricane? The article tries to shed light on all these questions, to out of with results. Perhaps, if we can apply them, we will regain the old face of Derna in its new era. Key words: (Derna, hurricane, disaster, monuments, civilization, architecture, Storm Daniel)