Ancient Tell is in the heart of Beirut, Lebanon.
Contents
Overview
The Ancient Tell is one of Beirut’s early settlements. Post-war reconstruction of the mid-1990s provided archaeologists with the unique opportunity to investigate the Tell, revealing many layers of the city.
Construction
During Phoenician times, two harbors were established at the site of the Canaanite Tell thus extending Biruta's trade links beyond the Mediterranean. The construction of fortifications by the harbor by the Umayyads allowed the northern part of the Tell to regain its strategic importance after the Romans had shifted it to the Forum. Later, the fort was turned into a castle which was bombarded by the British fleet in 1840. The modernization of the harbor in the 1900s, led to the construction of a railway station on the site of the demolished castle. Plans from the 1930s to connect Martyrs' Square to the Harbor's main quayside failed. Cinemas, warehouses and offices were built instead on the site of the Tell. Mid-1990s archeological excavations and the investigation of the Tell’s many layers led to important discoveries which altered the urban design of the area.
History
The Tell’s numerous archaeological layers bear witness to Beirut’s ancient history where centuries of construction are followed by periods of decay. Around 2500 B.C., Canaanite Biruta was a small town, overlooking a natural bay where ships sought shelter. Local and foreign goods were traded, while the ships renewed their supplies. During Phoenician times, Biruta established two harbors and extended trade links throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. In Roman Berytus, the sacred and administrative center was relocated from the Tell to the Forum, beneath today’s Etoile Square. Later, in the Umayyad period, the northern part of the Tell regained strategic importance with the construction of fortifications overlooking the harbor. This fort, enlarged as a castle in the Crusader period, was fought over for centuries. In 1840, it was heavily bombarded by the British fleet, and as a result lost its strategic significance. Around 1900, during the modernization of the harbor, the construction of a railway station replaced the demolished ruins of the castle tower. A roofed market was built over the southern part of the area. During the 1930s, a monumental gateway and grand stairway were planned to connect Martyrs’ Square to the harbor’s main quayside. When the execution of this plan failed, cinemas, warehouses and offices were built instead, destroying a considerable section of the Tell. Post-war reconstruction of the mid-1990s provided archaeologists with the opportunity to investigate the Tell’s many layers. The historical importance of their discoveries led to significant changes in the urban design of the area.
Timeline
2500 B.C.: Canaanite Biruta was a small trading town where ships sought shelter.
Phoenician times: Establishment of two harbors which extended Biruta's trade links beyond the Mediterranean.
Roman times: Relocation of the sacred and administrative center of Berytus from the Tell to the Forum.
Umayyad period: Northern part of the Tell regained strategic importance with the construction of fortifications by the harbor.
Crusader period: Enlargement of the fort to a castle.
1840: Castle was bombarded by the British fleet and lost its strategic significance.
1900: The modernization of the harbor led to the construction of a railway station on the site of the demolished castle.
1930s: Plans to connect Martyrs' Square to the Harbor's main quayside failed. Cinemas, warehouses and offices were built instead on the site of the Tell.
Mid-1990s: Archeological excavations and the investigation of the Tell’s many layers led to important discoveries which altered the urban design of the area.