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Document Details :

Title: The Hellenistic to Byzantine Souk
Subtitle: Results of the Excavations at BEY 011
Author(s): STEINER, Margreet
Journal: ARAM Periodical
Volume: 13    Date: 2001-2002   
Pages: 113-127
DOI: 10.2143/ARAM.13.0.504495

Abstract :
In autumn 1994 a team from the Department of Archaeology, Leiden University, joined the rescue excavations in the souk of Beirut. Although only a small area could be excavated, it is clear that the ancient souk had a long history. The buildings were in use from the Hellenistic throughout the Roman and Byzantine periods. They were ultimately destroyed during the earthquake of 551 AD. The interpretation of these buildings and streets as a souk, an area with small shops and workshops, is based on the lay-out of the area as well as on the discovery of a large jar surrounded by hundreds of sherds from a special type of oil-lamp. This find seems to represent not household use, but a commercial activity, i.e. the producing or selling of these lamps.

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