Sidi Khrebish Excavations, Benghazi, 1971–2

Abstract

Since the events briefly recorded in last year's Report, continuous excavation has taken place in the Turkish cemetery of Sidi Khrebish in Benghazi. During this period much important information has been gained concerning the Hellenistic and Roman city of Berenice. The excavations were supervised by staff sent out from England by the Society, while workmen and facilities were provided by the Department of Antiquities, which had already begun rescue work ahead of the bull-dozers. The Society's excavations started in September 1971 as an emergency operation, because at that time the site was thought to be available for only about three months in advance of the redevelopment mentioned in the last Report. In fact, the municipal authorities have held up their plans, so that by September 1972 an area of over three acres (1·36 hectares) had been systematically excavated. It is hoped that a further stay of execution of the redevelopment plan will make another four or five acres in the eastern part of the cemetery available for the resumption of excavations in November.