Archaeology, heritage, landscape, and digital documentation

Central Bekaa Archaeological Mission

Exploring ancient settlements in Central Bekaa, Lebanon through excavation, survey, documentation, heritage protection, and interdisciplinary research. The mission studies human occupation from the Neolithic period to modern times while helping preserve threatened cultural heritage.

Discover the Mission View Publications

2020

Initial mission phase launched

2023

New funded fieldwork campaign

2

Main excavation sites in focus

What the mission does

The project combines field archaeology, architectural recording, digital tools, and heritage protection to better understand the long history of settlement in the Central Bekaa region.

Excavation

Investigating stratigraphy, structures, and occupation phases across key archaeological sites.

Survey and Mapping

Recording the archaeological landscape through field survey, mapping, and spatial analysis.

Documentation

Using photography, photogrammetry, 3D recording, and digital drawings for accurate documentation.

Heritage Protection

Supporting the safeguarding of endangered sites threatened by rapid construction and land change.

Fieldwork in Central Bekaa

A mission built through international collaboration

A first Franco Lebanese mission began in 2020 through the DPM Bekaa program, bringing together the French Institute of the Near East, the Lebanese University, and Archeorient. After survey results and the identification of endangered sites, the mission developed into a broader archaeological program focused on the Anjar region.

In 2023, a new phase of the Franco Lebanese archaeological mission in Central Bekaa began with fieldwork focused on major archaeological locations including Tell Deir Zanoun and Tell Salhiye Shamsine.

Research from prehistory to recent periods
Excavation, survey, and digital recording
Academic and institutional partnership
Strong focus on preservation and documentation

5+

Partner institutions

2

Primary excavation sites

2020-Now

Ongoing mission development

Mission timeline

A quick overview of how the project evolved from its first phase into the current archaeological mission.

2020

First mission phase

The DPM Bekaa project began as a Franco Lebanese collaboration focused on population dynamics and occupation patterns in Central and Western Bekaa.

2020 to 2022

Survey and identification

Field surveys highlighted the archaeological importance of the Anjar region and the urgent need to document and safeguard threatened heritage.

2023

New fieldwork campaign

A new funded phase launched with excavation and research centered on Tell Deir Zanoun and Tell Salhiye Shamsine in Central Bekaa.

Explore the mission, research, and digital archive

Learn more about the archaeological work, browse publications, follow updates, or access the project database and documentation tools.