Abstract
AbstractThe interdisciplinary project “Between Land and Sea” combines geological, geomorphological and paleo-environmental approaches to identify archaeological remains of the Chekka region (Lebanon). In order to record the topography of this area, the first ever scientific airborne LiDAR data acquisition in Lebanon was conducted in autumn 2018. This work describes not only the acquisition and processing of the LiDAR data, but also the attempt to derive possible archaeological sites from the generated elevation model based on methods for spatial analysis. Using an “inverted mound” (iMound) algorithm, areas of possible settlement structures could be identified, which were classified regarding their probability of a possible ancient site using a deductive predictive model. A preliminary validation of some of the detected favoured areas using high-resolution aerial images has shown that the methods applied can provide hints to previously undiscovered sites. It was possible to identify probable ancient wall remains at several detected locations. In addition, least-cost path analyses were performed to reconstruct possible trade and transport routes from the Lebanon Mountains to the Mediterranean coast. The combination of the results of the iMound detection and classification as well as the calculated path system could point to the strategic location of the modern village of Kfar Hazir as a kind of traffic junction. Moreover, reconstructed main transport routes provide indications of heavily frequented roads and may form the basis for further investigations. To validate the results, upcoming field surveys will be realized on site.
Highlights
Due to the civil war in Lebanon (1975–1990) archaeological activities came to a halt and only in the last decade was intensive scientific research in this country resumed
It is known from ancient texts that people living in this area during the Bronze and Iron Ages were in contact with the important civilizations of their time (Kopetzky, 2010; Cohen-Weinberger & Goren, 2004), hardly any physical evidence of these periods was detected in this part of Lebanon
Even in densely forested areas, it was possible to detect the ground beneath the leaf canopy using the LiDAR method
Summary
Due to the civil war in Lebanon (1975–1990) archaeological activities came to a halt and only in the last decade was intensive scientific research in this country resumed. While some regions are better known, others are still waiting to be investigated. Belonging to the latter is the region between Ras Chekka and Enfeh and its hinterland up to the Mount Lebanon massif Recent publications concentrate on the Tells of Fadous-Kfarabida and Batroun south of the study area (Badreshany & Genz, 2009; Genz, 2016; Höflmayer et al, 2014; Genz et al, 2018; Genz, 2010), on Enfeh north of it (Panayot-Haroun, 2015; Semaan & Salama, 2019) and on Roman temples in the hinterland (Fares, 2010).
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