National Museum of Beirut
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The most significant archaeological museum in Lebanon and one of the largest in the Middle East houses the world's leading collection of ancient, Phoenician objects. The National Museum of Beirut offers a fascinating overview of Lebanon's history over a period that spans 6000 years, from prehistoric times to Ottoman rule. Of the museum's 100 000 artefacts, which were obtained from excavations in Lebanon and neighbouring countries, about 1300 are on display.
Although the museum's collection was begun after the First World War, the museum officially opened to the public only in 1942. The museum's Egyptian-style building was severely damaged during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1991), but fortunately most of the collection was saved from destruction. Following major renovations, the museum reopened in 1999.
The museum's expositions are arranged in chronological order, starting with Palaeolithic and Neolithic finds from about 500 excavation sites in present-day Lebanon. The Bronze Age follows with its main exhibit piece - the Sarcophagus of King Ahiram from the 10th century BC.
The Phoenician civilization of the Iron Age flourished in Lebanon, which is why this period is the most broadly represented, with items made of ceramics, ivory, metal and precious stones, as well as stone sculptures and sarcophagi. The Hellenistic period (333-64 BC) that followed greatly influenced the arts and culture in the area. The museum's most important piece from this period is the marble statue of Aphrodite.
The Roman period (64 BC-395 AD) features the sarcophagi of Achilles and Drunken Cupids, as well as mosaics depicting the Abduction of Europa, Calliope and the Seven Wise Men. The Byzantine era (395-636 AD) also features mosaics, coins, jewellery and sculptures.
The Arab conquest of Lebanon was completed during the 7th century and Islam became the official religion. The Mamluk period (636-1516 AD) in the museum is represented by coins, gold jewellery and glazed terracotta bowls.
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