Archaeologists discover secret room in ancient Sidon temple [Phoenicians]

The Daily Star ^ | February 24, 2015 | Mohammed Zaatari

[SunkenCiv]

...The newly discovered monumental room is believed to be an extension of the underground Temple of Sidon, which dates back to the Bronze Age.

This finding comes as workers prepare the foundations of a new national museum, which will be established beside the archaeological site. Construction of the museum led to urgent excavations at the site last month.

Ten years ago, the delegation discovered an underground "holy of holies" room, dating back to 1300 B.C., where ancient residents are believed to have worshipped their gods. The newly discovered room was found adjacent to it, and is thought to be an extension of the site's temple...

Claude Serhal Doumit, head of the delegation, described the finding...

"Sealed by the imposition of a Persian period building constructed on top of it, this new room is of the highest importance in terms of its monumentality and untouched pottery material, both [domestically produced] and imported from Cyprus and Mycenae," read a statement released by the delegation...

The room's walls were constructed with monumental stones to a height of 4.5 meters, while the floor of subterranean room would have been 7.5 meters below street level. Archaeologists unearthed a number of artifacts inside.

"Wooden material, pottery and utensils for ritual celebrations used for eating, drinking and mixing fluids were found," Doumit told The Daily Star.

Grants by the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development have helped provide financing for its construction. The Kuwaiti Fund has contributed $4 million to the project, while the Arab Fund has committed $850,000.

The museum will showcase artifacts and ruins from the various civilizations that inhabited Sidon, some of which date back to 3000 B.C.

[SunkenCiv]

and from Archaeology mag's website:

An underground room of the Temple of Sidon has been discovered by a team from the British Museum and the Directorate General of Antiquities of Lebanon at the Frères archaeological site. "Sealed by the imposition of a Persian period building constructed on top of it, this new room is of the highest importance in terms of its monumentality and untouched pottery material, both [domestically produced] and imported from Cyprus and Mycenae," read a statement from the delegation that was reported in The Daily Star. Wooden artifacts, pottery, and utensils were found within the room, built with monumental stones. The site will be preserved in situ, next to the new national archaeology museum now under construction.

[SunkenCiv]

The *real weekly ping* to Digest members.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

[Zenjitsuman]

good place for a wine cellar.

[Richard Axtell]

The latest events suddenly overlap this thread; the destruction of priceless art and artifacts in Museums in Mosul and other Isis controlled areas will doubtlessly be followed up with the despoiling and demolition of ancient monuments and buildings. It is a sad day for the heritage of Mesopotamian art, archaeology and mankind.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Richard, I should have included links to those recent topics.

• What's Been Lost to the Islamists' Sledgehammers (historians shocked) [2015]
• Watch: ISIS fighters destroy ancient sculptures in sledgehammer rampage [2015]
• ISIS Burns 8000 Rare Books and Manuscripts in Mosul [2015]