Archaeology, heritage, landscape, and digital documentation

Central Bekaa Archaeological Mission

Exploring the long history of human occupation in Central Bekaa, Lebanon through excavation, survey, heritage protection, and interdisciplinary research. The mission focuses on the archaeological landscapes of the Anjar region and works to document and preserve endangered cultural heritage from prehistory to the medieval period.

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2020

Initial DPM Bekaa phase launched

2023

New BEKAc field phase began

2

Main archaeological tells in focus

What the mission does

The project combines field archaeology, landscape research, excavation, digital tools, and heritage protection to better understand settlement history in Central Bekaa and to safeguard threatened archaeological sites in the Anjar region.

Excavation and Stratigraphy

Investigating occupation layers, architecture, and archaeological remains at key sites such as Tell Deir Zanoun and Tell Salhiye/Shamssine.

Survey and Landscape

Recording archaeological landscapes through pedestrian survey, aerial coverage, geophysics, GIS, and the study of river systems and geomorphology.

Digital Documentation

Using databases, photography, photogrammetry, mapping, and digital recording workflows to build lasting archaeological documentation.

Heritage Protection

Supporting the protection of endangered archaeological heritage threatened by construction, land transformation, and environmental change.

Central Bekaa Archaeological Mission
Fieldwork in Central Bekaa

A mission built through international collaboration

The current mission developed from the earlier DPM Bekaa project, launched in 2020 as a Franco-Lebanese collaboration between Ifpo, the Lebanese University, and Archéorient. After two years of survey and documentation, the mission concentrated on the Anjar region because of the archaeological importance of its sites and the urgent need for heritage protection.

In 2023, a new funded field phase began as the Central Bekaa archaeological mission, bringing together Archéorient, Université Lumière Lyon 2, Ifpo, the Lebanese University, and the Directorate General of Antiquities. Excavation and research are centered on Tell Deir Zanoun and Tell Salhiye/Shamssine.

  • Research from prehistory to the medieval period
  • Excavation, survey, GIS, and digital recording
  • Academic and institutional partnership
  • Strong focus on preservation, training, and documentation

5+

Core partner institutions

2

Main excavation sites

2020-Now

Mission development and field research

Mission timeline

A concise overview of how the project evolved from the first DPM Bekaa phase into the current archaeological mission in Central Bekaa.

2020

DPM Bekaa launched

The first phase began as a Franco-Lebanese collaboration focused on population dynamics and occupation patterns in Central and Western Bekaa.

2020 to 2022

Survey and regional study

Field surveys and documentation highlighted the archaeological importance of the Anjar region and the need to protect threatened heritage sites.

2023

New field mission begins

A new funded phase started with excavation and interdisciplinary research centered on Tell Deir Zanoun and Tell Salhiye/Shamssine.

Explore the mission, research, and digital archive

Learn more about the archaeological mission, browse publications and news, or access the project database and documentation tools.

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