Most people are familiar with the pharaonic curses of Egypt. But Phoenician kings had a few spells up their sleeves as well. May all who dare disturb the dead tread with care. … More Ancient Magic – Part III: “Who disturbs my slumber?”
A lead curse-tablet, unearthed in 1929, highlights the competitive nature of chariot-racing in Roman Beirut. Just how does one go about casting a spell on an enemy? … More Ancient Magic Part II: Of Spells & Curses
In the late 5th c. AD, a group of students from the Roman School of Law in Beirut adopted the practice of black magic. Late at night in the streets of Beirut, they set on enacting a gruesome act. … More Ancient Magic – Part 1: Students Run Amok!
Archaeology and urban development – a sensitive, and at many times, a contentious topic. Many debates have been had in modern cities across the world on what to preserve and what to remove to make way for new infrastructure. These sorts of discussions are rendered even more challenging in cities like Beirut that have been … More Discover Beirut – Part II: Hidden Gems
Poseidon is one of the well-known Greek gods. Although he was designated god of the sea, he also maintained a connection with the earth: he was the earth-shaker, god of the earthquake. … More Poseidon: Earth-Shaker, Master of the Sea
Beirut is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the Middle East, and archaeological excavations have over the years uncovered remains dating to various periods of its occupation. The ancient city of Beirut was restricted mainly to the current downtown area. Although some historical remains had been exposed earlier, the most significant archaeological work in … More Discover Beirut – Part I: Visible Archaeology
February has been a big month for space exploration. NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars and the UAE’s Hope probe entered Mars’ orbit earlier on the 9th. This shone a light on the UAE’s trailblazing initiative in the Arab World and the Middle East. As we celebrate this achievement, it is worth remembering that the UAE was actually not the first country in the region to have shown ambition for space exploration. … More The Lebanese Rocket Society
St. George is rightly known as the ubiquitous saint. His legend extends across different countries and cities, and he is venerated by different Christian denominations as well as some Muslims of the Middle East (he is known as Al-Khodr in the Islamic tradition). St. George is one of the most celebrated saints in Lebanon and … More St. George – Patron Saint of Beirut
Many Châteaux’s and monasteries across modern Lebanon are renowned for their sprawling vineyards and tasty wines, but the tradition of wine-making in this land goes a long way back and a recent archaeological project has now uncovered the earliest evidence for it. … More Winemaking in Ancient Phoenicia
The Wandering Native 