Comments on: Beirut Bulldozers Tear Down Ancient Phoenician Port to Build Skyscrapers

By: Max Stanford

Max Stanford — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:23:02 +0000

This isn’t an isolated incident either. Since the revolution in Egypt an innumerable amount of archaeological dig site have been desecrated by thieves, and one site in particular has been covered over by a new mosque. It’s difficult to asses the situation from here in the States, but common opinion is, of course, to preserve historical site (no matter what value has been placed on it by local researchers) as there is likely great discoveries to be made and much more to be learned.

By: Karin Kloosterman

Karin Kloosterman — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:07:33 +0000

In reply to J J. Agreed, but still. The Middle East is full of archeology. Often people today don't have the right tools to understand what they are seeing. A site should never be destroyed at any cost. There are ways to bury archeology and build around it so that future archeologists will have something to work on/with. This is sustainable archeology. I can imagine that in 100 years the future archeologists would be upset about what's happening in Beirut right now.

By: J J

J J — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:51:47 +0000

There are two sides to this story.

Some archeologists assure that the site has no value at all and it is not an ancient phoenician port.

see article in french: http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/%C3%80+La+Une/article/765693/Le_%3C%3C+port_phenicien_de_Beyrouth+%3E%3E_detruit_a_coups_de_pelleteuse.html

It is always important to give the two side of a story.