Ras Beirut
Encyclopedia
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. It incorporates a number of international schools and universities, of which the most famous is the American University of Beirut
(AUB). The area is also a melting pot of sorts with students from all over the world residing within its quarters.
from Saint Joseph University made an unstratified, open-air survey of the marine terraces of Ras Beirut recovering various artifacts. Flints have also been recovered by walkers on the nearby beaches. The area is separated from the Sands of Beirut
sites by the Wadi Abu Chahine or "South Creek" which begins south of the Continental Hotel area. It is an important site for Quaternary
studies and has been published in various works by Fleisch, Auguste Bergy
in 1932, L. Dubertret in 1940 and 1948, Wright in 1960 and 1962, Raoul Describes in 1921, Dorothy Garrod
in 1960 and R. Neuville in 1933. Stratified sites are numbered in chronological order with unstratified sites at the end. The first four sites contain stratified Lower Paleolithic
industries from the 45 metres (147.6 ft) beach level, the next five are stratified Middle Paleolithic
with a gap in stratified sites to the Chalcolithic found at site XI. Intervening periods including the Levalloiso-Mousterian were well represented in surface finds along with a substantial amount of Neolithic
material on a 45 metres (147.6 ft) terrace. Collections are held in the American University of Beirut
and the Museum of Lebanese Prehistory
. Many of the sites have been built on and completely destroyed by urbanization.
Ras Beirut I or The Slope Breccia is on a steep limestone
cliff, above Rue Zenzir, west of Rue Jinnah at around 52 metres (170.6 ft) above sea level. It was found by Henri Fleisch and published in 1946, 1956 and 1960 along with Howell in 1959 and Garrod in 1962 and 1965. An Early Acheulean
or Abbevillian
rolled biface was found by Fleisch in the breccia above Rue Jinnah that predates all of the other tools found at Ras Beirut. An abundant Middle Acheulean industry was also found.
Ras Beirut II or The Offshore Bar is a fossil
bar of flint, gravel and marine organisms, 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) under the soil next to and under Rue Jinnah. It was studied by Henri Fleisch during the digging of a drainage trench who published results in 1951 and 1954. It is also mentioned by Howell in 1959 and Dorothy Garrod in 1960. Numerous pieces with no bifaces were found and considered to be Tayacian
with some Levallois
influence. The site possibly still exists under the road.
Ras Beirut III or Depots A. and B. is northeast of Rue Jinnah and was again found by Father Fleisch who published his studies in 1950 and 1956. Depot A contained an Early Levallois
industry with bifaces and a type of pick resembling Bir Hassan picks.
Ras Beirut IV or Bergy's Trench is 100 metres (328.1 ft) east of Pigeon Rock, around 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) beneath the soil on the slope of the 45 metres (147.6 ft) terrace. The site was found by Auguste Bergy
and published in 1932. Henri Fleisch also studied the area with and published some new discoveries in 1956. Early Levalloisian industries were found including bifacial Bir Hassan picks in the 20 centimetres (7.9 in) layer on the bedrock. Larger flint flakes were found in the 80 centimetres (31.5 in) layer above this. Fleisch recovered more of the earlier type of industry when the Corniche Road was widened and is suggested to still exist under a side road that leads to the Federal Hotel.
Ras Beirut V (a) or Bergy's "plus 8" Beach is 800 metres (2,624.7 ft) south of Pigeon Rock on the way to St. Elie beach at around 15 metres (49.2 ft) above sea level opposite the Continental Hotel. A layer of pebbles, marine shells and flints in the sandstone was found by Auguste Bergy
and studied by Dubertret in 1937 and 1940, de Vaumas in 1947, Haller in 1945, Fleisch in 1956 and 1962, Howell in 1959 and Dorothy Garrod in 1960. Levalloisian materials are more evolved at this site and a Micro-Levalloisian series of tools were also found.
Ras Beirut V (b) or South Creek Trench is the same fossil beach in a section on the south bank of South Creek, 100 metres (328.1 ft) north of Ras Beirut V (a). It was discovered by Henri Fleisch and published in 1956. Two varieties of Levalloisian were found, one with finely produced thin flakes, the other with coarse thick ones. A Micro-Levalloisian industry accompanied it.
Ras Beirut VI is 200 metres (656.2 ft) north of Raoul Describes excavations at Minet ed Dhalia at the head of a small bay between two stream beds on a 15 metres (49.2 ft) terrace. A Micro-Levalloisian industry was found by Henri Fleisch and published in 1948 and 1956 dating to the time when the 15 metres (49.2 ft) sea level regressed.
Ras Beirut VII or South Creek is on the west side of the Corniche road, west of the Continental Hotel where the Wadi Abu Chahine drops to sea level. The site is on the north bank of the stream in a 5 metres (16.4 ft) long cavity in the cliff filled with soils. Fleisch found Levalloisian and Micro-Levalloisian industries in the upper layers. The site has now disappeared.
Ras Beirut VIII or Bay of Pigeon Rock is in a gully on the south cliff in the Bay of Pigeon Rock. Material was recovered in brecciated beach deposits representing a Levalloisian industry with traces of Micro-Levalloisian, this was studied by Fleisch and published in 1954 and 1956.
Ras Beirut IX or Depot facing cote 34 was discovered by Fleisch opposite the start of the Rue Jinnah (cote 34), 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) south of Pigeon Rock. The material is suggested to date to the time when the sea had retreated from the 15 metres (49.2 ft) level and consists of a Levalloisian industry with Mousterian
influence with large, thin flakes. Some Micro-Levalloisian pieces were also found.
Ras Beirut X or Bain Militaire was originally called Sud Phare by its discoverer, Auguste Bergy
. It was mentioned by Fleisch in 1956 as being in a rainwater gully, 200 metres (656.2 ft) south of Bain Militaire. Material was suggested to be of the Levallois form with some Bir Hassan picks similar to those at Ras Beirut III and IV but from a different level.
Ras Beirut XI or Minet ed Dhalia is on the second headland south of Pigeon Rock on the 15 metres (49.2 ft) terrace and was excavated by Raoul Describes in 1914, publishing his studies in 1921 and originally suggesting he had found a large number of tools and waste from a Soultrean industry in the black soil that covered the limestone headland at a depth of 1 metres (3.3 ft). Neuville and Haller studied the site and materials again in 1933, reclassifying it as Chalcolithic with a lower Middle Paleolithic
level along with an intervening later that Describes had missed. Jacques Cauvin
has compared it with the Énéolithique Ancien period at Byblos
suggested to date between 3800 to 3650 BCE. The site is notable for a type tool called the Minet ed Dhalia point
(pictured); a stylet ranging from 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 8 inches (20.3 cm) in length and may have been fleshing tools, but their exact use is uncertain. These were first observed by Dawson in 1884 and later by Godefroy Zumoffen
in 1910, The industry includes javelin
s, borers, picks and assorted other tools. It has been described by Lorraine Copeland
and Peter Wescombe as "probably the richest factory site in Lebanon" with hundreds of pieces recovered and held in the National Museum of Beirut
.
Ras Beirut XII is thought to be in the area below the lighthouse and was found by Describes. It is recorded as a surface Acheulean
site but appears to be a group of Neolithic
pick along with factory waste. Construction of a playing field has covered the site with a false layer.
Ras Beirut XIII or Field south of Pigeon Rock is a cultivated field on the headland south of Pigeon rock where a surface site was found by Auguste Bergy and published in 1932. The Levallois industry is nicknamed Golden Mousterian due to it having a yellow or gold colour and sheen. Forms include large, broad flakes along with medium sized points and blades with many pieces having traces of concretion.
Ras Beirut XIV or AUB Campus is part of the Ras Beirut station within the grounds of the American University of Beirut
discussed by Zumoffen where thick, white Middle Paleolithic flakes were found on the slopes above the 15 metres (49.2 ft) terrace that have now been turned into a playing field next to International College Steps. Some Golden Mousterian pieces were found further down the slope.
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
(AUB). The area is also a melting pot of sorts with students from all over the world residing within its quarters.
Streets in Ras Beirut
- Bliss StreetBliss StreetBliss Street, or Rue Bliss, is one of the principal streets of the Hamra area, which is within the Ras Beirut District of Beirut in Lebanon. The street, which is parallel to Hamra Street, runs east-west, connecting with Rue Clémenceau on the east and ending at Avenue General de Gaulle that runs...
- Rue ClémenceauRue ClémenceauRue Clemenceau is a commercial and residential street in Beirut, Lebanon. The street was named in honor of Georges Clemenceau who accepted the post of premier of France in 1917 during World War I....
- Rue Madame CurieRue Madame CurieRue Madame Curie is a street in Beirut, Lebanon. The street, which is named in honor of Marie Curie, the Polish–French physicist–chemist, begins at Rue Badr Demachkieh in the Raouché neighborhood of the Ras Beirut district, running west-east through the Qoreitem-Snoubra neighborhood then,...
- Avenue General de GaulleAvenue General de GaulleAvenue Général de Gaulle is a seaside, palm-lined street in Beirut, Lebanon. The avenue, which was named in honor of the French general and president, Charles de Gaulle forms with Avenue de Paris the Corniche Beirut promenade...
- Hamra StreetHamra StreetHamra Street , or Rue Hamra, is one of the main streets of the city of Beirut, Lebanon, and one of the main economic and diplomatic hubs of Beirut. Due to the numerous sidewalk cafes and theatres, Hamra Street was the center of intellectual activity in Beirut during the 1960s and 1970s...
- Rue Jeanne d'ArcRue Jeanne d'ArcRue Jeanne d'Arc is a street in Beirut, Lebanon named in honor of the patron saint of France, Joan of Arc. By 1919, Rue Jeane d'Arc was one of the main arteries that radiated from Bliss Street and by 1930, the urbanization of the street had reached 35%....
- Rue John KennedyRue John KennedyRue John Kennedy is a street in Beirut, Lebanon. The street, originally called Rue Perthuis, was renamed in honor of President John F. Kennedy on November 30, 1963...
- Avenue de ParisAvenue de ParisAvenue de Paris is a seaside, palm-lined street in Beirut, Lebanon. The avenue, which forms with Avenue General de Gaulle the Corniche Beirut promenade, is popular with rollerbladers, cyclists and joggers.-Benches:...
- Rue de PhénicieRue de PhénicieRue de Phénicie or Phoenicia Street is a street in Beirut, Lebanon. The street runs north-south from the Mediterranean uphill to where Rue John Kennedy meets Rue Omar Daouk, intersecting along the way Rue Ibn Sina, Rue London, and Rue Rustom Pacha....
- Rue George PostRue George PostRue George Post is a street in Beirut, Lebanon. The street, which is located in the Ras Beirut district, was named after Dr. George Edward Post, the American University of Beirut professor of surgery , who also contributed to the study of ecology and vegetation of the Middle East...
- Rue Van DyckRue Van DyckRue Van Dyck is a street in Beirut, Lebanon. The street, which is located in the Ras Beirut district, was named after Cornelius Van Allen Van Dyck, who was professor of pathology and internal medicine in the medical school at the American University of Beirut from 1857 until 1882. The street runs...
- Corniche BeirutCorniche BeirutThe Corniche Beirut is a seaside promenade in Beirut, Lebanon. Lined with palm trees, the waterfront esplanade offers visitors a magnificent view of the Mediterranean and the summits of Mount Lebanon to the east...
Archaeology
In 1946, Henri FleischHenri Fleisch
Reverend Father Henri Fleisch, born January 1 1904 in Jonvelle , France and died 10 February 1985 in Lebanon where he was buried. He was a French archaeologist, missionary and Orientalist, known for his work on classical Arabic language and Lebanese dialect and prehistory in Lebanon.He entered the...
from Saint Joseph University made an unstratified, open-air survey of the marine terraces of Ras Beirut recovering various artifacts. Flints have also been recovered by walkers on the nearby beaches. The area is separated from the Sands of Beirut
Sands of Beirut
The Sands of Beirut were a series of archaeological sites located on the coastline south of Beirut in Lebanon.-Description:The Sands were a complex of nearly 20 prehistoric sites that were destroyed due to building operations using the soft sandstone in constructing the city of Beirut and Beirut...
sites by the Wadi Abu Chahine or "South Creek" which begins south of the Continental Hotel area. It is an important site for Quaternary
Quaternary
The Quaternary Period is the most recent of the three periods of the Cenozoic Era in the geologic time scale of the ICS. It follows the Neogene Period, spanning 2.588 ± 0.005 million years ago to the present...
studies and has been published in various works by Fleisch, Auguste Bergy
Auguste Bergy
Reverend Father Auguste Bergy, born 1873 in France and died 31 August 1955 was a French Jesuit archaeologist notable for his work on prehistory in Lebanon.He is known particularly for excavations and studies at the Sands of Beirut and at Ras Beirut...
in 1932, L. Dubertret in 1940 and 1948, Wright in 1960 and 1962, Raoul Describes in 1921, Dorothy Garrod
Dorothy Garrod
Dorothy Annie Elizabeth Garrod CBE was a British archaeologist who was the first woman to hold an Oxbridge chair, partly through her pioneering work on the Palaeolithic period. Her father was Sir Archibald Garrod, the physician.-Life:Born in Oxford, she attended Newnham College, Cambridge...
in 1960 and R. Neuville in 1933. Stratified sites are numbered in chronological order with unstratified sites at the end. The first four sites contain stratified Lower Paleolithic
Lower Paleolithic
The Lower Paleolithic is the earliest subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. It spans the time from around 2.5 million years ago when the first evidence of craft and use of stone tools by hominids appears in the current archaeological record, until around 300,000 years ago, spanning the...
industries from the 45 metres (147.6 ft) beach level, the next five are stratified Middle Paleolithic
Middle Paleolithic
The Middle Paleolithic is the second subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age as it is understood in Europe, Africa and Asia. The term Middle Stone Age is used as an equivalent or a synonym for the Middle Paleolithic in African archeology. The Middle Paleolithic and the Middle Stone Age...
with a gap in stratified sites to the Chalcolithic found at site XI. Intervening periods including the Levalloiso-Mousterian were well represented in surface finds along with a substantial amount of Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
material on a 45 metres (147.6 ft) terrace. Collections are held in the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
and the Museum of Lebanese Prehistory
Museum of Lebanese Prehistory
The Museum of Lebanese Prehistory is a museum of prehistory and archaeology in Beirut, Lebanon.-History:...
. Many of the sites have been built on and completely destroyed by urbanization.
Ras Beirut I or The Slope Breccia is on a steep limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
cliff, above Rue Zenzir, west of Rue Jinnah at around 52 metres (170.6 ft) above sea level. It was found by Henri Fleisch and published in 1946, 1956 and 1960 along with Howell in 1959 and Garrod in 1962 and 1965. An Early Acheulean
Acheulean
Acheulean is the name given to an archaeological industry of stone tool manufacture associated with early humans during the Lower Palaeolithic era across Africa and much of West Asia, South Asia and Europe. Acheulean tools are typically found with Homo erectus remains...
or Abbevillian
Abbevillian
Abbevillian is a currently obsolescent name for a tool tradition that is increasingly coming to be called Oldowan . The original artifacts were collected from road construction sites on the Somme river near Abbeville by a French customs officer, Boucher de Perthes...
rolled biface was found by Fleisch in the breccia above Rue Jinnah that predates all of the other tools found at Ras Beirut. An abundant Middle Acheulean industry was also found.
Ras Beirut II or The Offshore Bar is a fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
bar of flint, gravel and marine organisms, 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) under the soil next to and under Rue Jinnah. It was studied by Henri Fleisch during the digging of a drainage trench who published results in 1951 and 1954. It is also mentioned by Howell in 1959 and Dorothy Garrod in 1960. Numerous pieces with no bifaces were found and considered to be Tayacian
Tayacian
The Tayacian is a Palaeolithic stone tool industry that is a variant of the Mousterian. It was first identified from the site of La Micoque in Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac although since then the cave at Fontéchevade has become the "reference site for this industry"....
with some Levallois
Levallois
Levallois may refer to:*Levallois-Perret, a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France.*Levallois technique *Nicolas-Eugène Levallois*Levallois SC, a current French football club...
influence. The site possibly still exists under the road.
Ras Beirut III or Depots A. and B. is northeast of Rue Jinnah and was again found by Father Fleisch who published his studies in 1950 and 1956. Depot A contained an Early Levallois
Levallois
Levallois may refer to:*Levallois-Perret, a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France.*Levallois technique *Nicolas-Eugène Levallois*Levallois SC, a current French football club...
industry with bifaces and a type of pick resembling Bir Hassan picks.
Ras Beirut IV or Bergy's Trench is 100 metres (328.1 ft) east of Pigeon Rock, around 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) beneath the soil on the slope of the 45 metres (147.6 ft) terrace. The site was found by Auguste Bergy
Auguste Bergy
Reverend Father Auguste Bergy, born 1873 in France and died 31 August 1955 was a French Jesuit archaeologist notable for his work on prehistory in Lebanon.He is known particularly for excavations and studies at the Sands of Beirut and at Ras Beirut...
and published in 1932. Henri Fleisch also studied the area with and published some new discoveries in 1956. Early Levalloisian industries were found including bifacial Bir Hassan picks in the 20 centimetres (7.9 in) layer on the bedrock. Larger flint flakes were found in the 80 centimetres (31.5 in) layer above this. Fleisch recovered more of the earlier type of industry when the Corniche Road was widened and is suggested to still exist under a side road that leads to the Federal Hotel.
Ras Beirut V (a) or Bergy's "plus 8" Beach is 800 metres (2,624.7 ft) south of Pigeon Rock on the way to St. Elie beach at around 15 metres (49.2 ft) above sea level opposite the Continental Hotel. A layer of pebbles, marine shells and flints in the sandstone was found by Auguste Bergy
Auguste Bergy
Reverend Father Auguste Bergy, born 1873 in France and died 31 August 1955 was a French Jesuit archaeologist notable for his work on prehistory in Lebanon.He is known particularly for excavations and studies at the Sands of Beirut and at Ras Beirut...
and studied by Dubertret in 1937 and 1940, de Vaumas in 1947, Haller in 1945, Fleisch in 1956 and 1962, Howell in 1959 and Dorothy Garrod in 1960. Levalloisian materials are more evolved at this site and a Micro-Levalloisian series of tools were also found.
Ras Beirut V (b) or South Creek Trench is the same fossil beach in a section on the south bank of South Creek, 100 metres (328.1 ft) north of Ras Beirut V (a). It was discovered by Henri Fleisch and published in 1956. Two varieties of Levalloisian were found, one with finely produced thin flakes, the other with coarse thick ones. A Micro-Levalloisian industry accompanied it.
Ras Beirut VI is 200 metres (656.2 ft) north of Raoul Describes excavations at Minet ed Dhalia at the head of a small bay between two stream beds on a 15 metres (49.2 ft) terrace. A Micro-Levalloisian industry was found by Henri Fleisch and published in 1948 and 1956 dating to the time when the 15 metres (49.2 ft) sea level regressed.
Ras Beirut VII or South Creek is on the west side of the Corniche road, west of the Continental Hotel where the Wadi Abu Chahine drops to sea level. The site is on the north bank of the stream in a 5 metres (16.4 ft) long cavity in the cliff filled with soils. Fleisch found Levalloisian and Micro-Levalloisian industries in the upper layers. The site has now disappeared.
Ras Beirut VIII or Bay of Pigeon Rock is in a gully on the south cliff in the Bay of Pigeon Rock. Material was recovered in brecciated beach deposits representing a Levalloisian industry with traces of Micro-Levalloisian, this was studied by Fleisch and published in 1954 and 1956.
Ras Beirut IX or Depot facing cote 34 was discovered by Fleisch opposite the start of the Rue Jinnah (cote 34), 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) south of Pigeon Rock. The material is suggested to date to the time when the sea had retreated from the 15 metres (49.2 ft) level and consists of a Levalloisian industry with Mousterian
Mousterian
Mousterian is a name given by archaeologists to a style of predominantly flint tools associated primarily with Homo neanderthalensis and dating to the Middle Paleolithic, the middle part of the Old Stone Age.-Naming:...
influence with large, thin flakes. Some Micro-Levalloisian pieces were also found.
Ras Beirut X or Bain Militaire was originally called Sud Phare by its discoverer, Auguste Bergy
Auguste Bergy
Reverend Father Auguste Bergy, born 1873 in France and died 31 August 1955 was a French Jesuit archaeologist notable for his work on prehistory in Lebanon.He is known particularly for excavations and studies at the Sands of Beirut and at Ras Beirut...
. It was mentioned by Fleisch in 1956 as being in a rainwater gully, 200 metres (656.2 ft) south of Bain Militaire. Material was suggested to be of the Levallois form with some Bir Hassan picks similar to those at Ras Beirut III and IV but from a different level.
Ras Beirut XI or Minet ed Dhalia is on the second headland south of Pigeon Rock on the 15 metres (49.2 ft) terrace and was excavated by Raoul Describes in 1914, publishing his studies in 1921 and originally suggesting he had found a large number of tools and waste from a Soultrean industry in the black soil that covered the limestone headland at a depth of 1 metres (3.3 ft). Neuville and Haller studied the site and materials again in 1933, reclassifying it as Chalcolithic with a lower Middle Paleolithic
Middle Paleolithic
The Middle Paleolithic is the second subdivision of the Paleolithic or Old Stone Age as it is understood in Europe, Africa and Asia. The term Middle Stone Age is used as an equivalent or a synonym for the Middle Paleolithic in African archeology. The Middle Paleolithic and the Middle Stone Age...
level along with an intervening later that Describes had missed. Jacques Cauvin
Jacques Cauvin
Professor Jacques Cauvin was a French archaeologist who specialised in the prehistory of the Levant and Near East.-Biography:...
has compared it with the Énéolithique Ancien period at Byblos
Byblos
Byblos is the Greek name of the Phoenician city Gebal . It is a Mediterranean city in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of present-day Lebanon under the current Arabic name of Jubayl and was also referred to as Gibelet during the Crusades...
suggested to date between 3800 to 3650 BCE. The site is notable for a type tool called the Minet ed Dhalia point
Minet ed Dhalia point
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 . They are the type tool of the Énéolithique Ancien , named after the archaeological site of...
(pictured); a stylet ranging from 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 8 inches (20.3 cm) in length and may have been fleshing tools, but their exact use is uncertain. These 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, The industry includes javelin
Javelin
A Javelin is a light spear intended for throwing. It is commonly known from the modern athletic discipline, the Javelin throw.Javelin may also refer to:-Aviation:* ATG Javelin, an American-Israeli civil jet aircraft, under development...
s, borers, picks and assorted other tools. It has been described by Lorraine Copeland
Lorraine Copeland
Lorraine Copeland is an archaeologist specialising in the Palaeolithic period of the Near East. Her husband was Miles Axe Copeland Jr, and they had four children, all of whom have gone on to have notable careers: Miles Copeland III, Ian, Lorraine and Stewart Copeland.Lorraine Copeland was born in...
and Peter Wescombe as "probably the richest factory site in Lebanon" with hundreds of pieces recovered and held in the National Museum of Beirut
National Museum of Beirut
The National Museum of Beirut is the principal museum of archaeology in Lebanon. The collection was begun after World War I, and the museum was officially opened in 1942. The museum has collections totalling about 100,000 objects, most of which are antiquities and medieval finds from excavations...
.
Ras Beirut XII is thought to be in the area below the lighthouse and was found by Describes. It is recorded as a surface Acheulean
Acheulean
Acheulean is the name given to an archaeological industry of stone tool manufacture associated with early humans during the Lower Palaeolithic era across Africa and much of West Asia, South Asia and Europe. Acheulean tools are typically found with Homo erectus remains...
site but appears to be a group of Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
pick along with factory waste. Construction of a playing field has covered the site with a false layer.
Ras Beirut XIII or Field south of Pigeon Rock is a cultivated field on the headland south of Pigeon rock where a surface site was found by Auguste Bergy and published in 1932. The Levallois industry is nicknamed Golden Mousterian due to it having a yellow or gold colour and sheen. Forms include large, broad flakes along with medium sized points and blades with many pieces having traces of concretion.
Ras Beirut XIV or AUB Campus is part of the Ras Beirut station within the grounds of the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
discussed by Zumoffen where thick, white Middle Paleolithic flakes were found on the slopes above the 15 metres (49.2 ft) terrace that have now been turned into a playing field next to International College Steps. Some Golden Mousterian pieces were found further down the slope.