Minet ed Dhalia point
Encyclopedia
A Minet ed Dhalia point or Stylet is an archaeological term for an elongated, isoceles triangle made with pressure flaking on both faces of a piece of flint
. They are predominantly found at sites in Lebanon
(ancient Canaan
). They are the type tool of the Énéolithique Ancien (Ancient Chalcolithic), named after the archaeological site of Minet ed Dhalia in Ras Beirut
. The stylets range from 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 8 inches (20.3 cm) in length. They were first observed by Dawson in 1884 and later by Godefroy Zumoffen
in 1910 and called "stylets" by Raoul Describes. The exact use of Minet ed Dhalia points is uncertain although the shape bears certain similarities to metal fleshing-tools used in the area in modern times.
Flint
Flint is a hard, sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as a variety of chert. It occurs chiefly as nodules and masses in sedimentary rocks, such as chalks and limestones. Inside the nodule, flint is usually dark grey, black, green, white, or brown in colour, and...
. They are predominantly found at sites in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
(ancient Canaan
Canaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
). They are the type tool of the Énéolithique Ancien (Ancient Chalcolithic), named after the archaeological site of Minet ed Dhalia in Ras Beirut
Ras Beirut
Ras Beirut is a luxurious residential neighborhood of Beirut. It is the most cosmopolitan and open-minded area of Beirut, where sizable populations of Christians, Muslims, and Druze coexist peacefully. It is known as the cultural and intellectual center of Beirut...
. The stylets range from 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 8 inches (20.3 cm) in length. They were first observed by Dawson in 1884 and later by Godefroy Zumoffen
Godefroy Zumoffen
Reverend Father Godefroy Zumoffen, born 1848 in France and died in 1928 was a French Jesuit archaeologist and geologist notable for his work on prehistory in Lebanon....
in 1910 and called "stylets" by Raoul Describes. The exact use of Minet ed Dhalia points is uncertain although the shape bears certain similarities to metal fleshing-tools used in the area in modern times.