The Plundering of Lebanon’s Heritage

A Phoenician statue for my coffee-table
The Economist, April 3, 1999

DIG a hole in the ground almost anywhere in Arabia, it is said, and oil will gush out. Dig a hole in practically any Lebanese hillside, and a wealth of archaeological artifacts will tumble forth. A few of these discoveries end up on display in museums, many more in the salons of Lebanese grandees. Look around and you may see a coffee-table resting on a Greek capital, a tiny Roman mosaic sprucing up the foyer, a spread of Phoenician statuettes and Byzantine coins strewn along the bookshelves or a discreet Crusader cannon in the courtyard.

Lebanon, a country carpeted in historical bric-a-brac, is still recovering from its 1975-91 civil war. Its budget is hobbled by huge deficits. Archaeological preservation has not been a priority-until now. Since mid-March, in a series of surprise raids, the police have seized over 5,000 artifacts from private homes and shops. In theory, when someone unearths anything over 300 years old, he is supposed to contact the Directorate-General of Antiquities, which has three months to examine the object or site before deciding whether to commandeer it. In practice, the rules are flouted.

During the civil war, many ruins and museums were looted. A director of the National Museum preserved his biggest and most precious pieces from theft or damage by encasing them in concrete, but other objects were treated less lovingly. The police recently discovered, for instance, that every single movable item had been stolen from the old Ottoman citadel at Sidon. Even now, builders regularly pilfer, discard or pour cement over ancient remains to avoid the delays and hassle of the historical commissars.

Until recently, the antiquities officials were themselves part of the problem: indeed, the police raids arose from an investigation into their department. A former director-general has been hauled in for questioning. But even honest employees, with a budget of just $5m, cannot keep track of the millions of artifacts in the coun...
Post Author: /u/ashrafiyotte
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Places for night sittings

Hi everyone, does anyone know of a place around Beirut, Metn or Kessrouane where we can bring alcohol and sit with a view? No problem with paying but the thing is we don't want a pub or some rooftop. We need a place where people can chill without having so much people and loud music around but also to have some kind of view, and that it's inside an establishment, not aal tari2 bl siyara.
Me and a group of friends are celebrating some achievements and want to celebrate without having to be surrounded by people.
Post Author: /u/Mr8addad
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Anyone living in Lebanon and still has mint condition pokemon cards?

You’d make life changing money if you get them graded in the US and sell them.
https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/commodities/articles/pok-mon-cards-15-900-113706019.html

I can help with the process if need be.
Post Author: /u/njsomething
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Has anyone done their French diploma equivalence for Lebanon? (Bac / Uni)

Hello everyone,

I grew in France since i was a child and completed all my education in France. Im moving to Lebanon in a few weeks for a job opportunity and need to do the equivalence of my diplomas and their associated grades to be able to apply.

The problem is that im being asked to present all my grades from brevet to my last year of uni, which represents approx 30 papers + an official copy signed by France, which i did, + the lebanse consulate. The problem is that i have 30 papers to sign from the consulate which represents a crazy amount of money (53€ per document). Is this normal?

Is there any safe solution to avoid these expenses?? Like group documents for example or whatever you think is possible.

I need your help please.

Thank you in advance.
Post Author: /u/MELS381
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