Dating of the site’s foundation to 8000 BC. Archeology and History of the Region

tories heard about Hermel in the news might Sgive us a false idea about the region; in fact, it has numerous archeological treasures.

“Oct. 21, 2016 | 09:57 AM Lebanese known as the upside-down river, courses is often mentioned in the chronicles of from afar while driving around on the have unveiled the mystery that lies built with masonry blocks close the Army conducts wide security operation from the South to the North – a quite his reign, since his army encountered plain of Northern Bekaa on a clear around the column, but unfortunately façade. Arrow slits can be seen in the in Hermel peculiar journey. some difficulties in controlling day. The monument stands on a base the plaque it held disappeared long ago, walls, while evidence of the door frame, and pacifying the region. Major with three steps made of basalt stone. and with it any information related to sills and grooves is visible when reaching Jan. 18, 2017 | 09:56 AM Lebanese The region has been occupied archaeological evidence of the king’s The reliefs on the four sides depict this unusual monument. the entrance of the structure. The inner Army closes illegal border crossings in since prehistoric times. Evidence of presence in the Hermel region consists different types of animals: deer, bears, part consists of numerous cells, while Hermel archaeological dating back to of two inscriptions and a sculpted relief dogs, wolves, boars and bulls. Diverse “Qanat al ’Achik” staircases link the three levels of the 7000 BC was discovered on numerous representing the king – a bearded man suggestions have been made regarding One cannot pass by Hermel without edifice. It is commonly believed that Feb. 24, 2017 | 06:29 PM Lebanese sites, including El , , Hermel wearing a long dress fighting against a the use and the dating of the , hearing of “Qanat al ‘Achik” (the lover’s Mar Maroun and his followers resided Army arrests three fugitives in east and Ras Baalbak. Tells – artificial lion. The inscriptions are located near but none is ascertained. The monument canal). The legend goes that a prince in this monastery, while other theories town of Hermel” – Daily Star mounds created by the accumulation Brissa, on the crossroads linking the is thought to date from between the constructed this canal to win the heart suggest that the site was used to protect of remains due to the occupation of Northern Bekaa to the Cedars, and second and first century BC; some of the princess he wished to marry. a convent for nuns of early Christianity Whenever we hear of Hermel in the the same site for generations – are down to the Mediterranean Sea. scholars suggest it is a tower tomb, while However, the canal is also known as that was located on the opposite cliff, of news, it is about security issues and scattered throughout the plain of Translation of part of Brissa inscription others defend the theory of a monument ’s canal. It is widely believed which there are no remains, known as operations conducted by the Lebanese Hermel. Stone tools were identified on (cuneiform system of writing): to the hunting prowess of royalty. in the region that Queen Zenobia of Qasr el Banat. armed authorities. This Lebanese around 13 sites. – megalithic “(…)I reached the mountains of the (3rd century AD) had ordered territory, located in the far north-eastern tombs that consist of large vertical cedar trees with their enchanting scent Column of – or Ya’at the construction of an aqueduct to The flows beneath Deir part of our country, has a long history stones supporting a large horizontal that no other god had breathed in and During the Roman period, the region convey water from the Orontes’ source Mar Maroun. Its main source, Ain el- revealed by archaeological research capstone – were found on different which no other king had cut down, neighboring Baalbak witnessed the to Palmyra. Remains of such a canal Zarqa, lies some 200 meters down the and remains. Let’s have a quick tour to sites around Hermel locality. As for meaning to use them for our palaces and construction of a series of temples. were found on 140 km, linking the ravine that surrounds the Deir. With discover the story and the history of this , archaeological soundings were for the temples of our gods Nabu and Remains of those temples can still be source located in Labweh to the city of its crystal blue waters, cascades and region… conducted on the Southern in 1966 Mardok (…)” seen in Ras , Labweh, Brissa, Apamea in . waterfalls, the Orontes has witnessed and in 2011, thus allowing dating of the Qasr el Banat and Nahle. One intriguing the evolution of mankind for decades. It is a rich and fertile region, with the site’s foundation to 8000 BC. Kamouh el Hermel feature of the Roman period is the Deir Mar Maroun Humans tagged their names on source of the Orontes River at Ain The tells also revealed occupation during Kamouh el Hermel is an ancient column of Iaat – or Ya’at. The column Another place of interest is the site monuments, believing it would last el-Zarqa, south of Hermel. There, it the period (3000 BC). pyramid located some six kilometers is 18 meters high, with a Corinthian known as Deir Mar Maroun, a cavern forever. Their only witness, the river, begins its journey then flows through But let’s move on to Nabuchodonosor south of Hermel locality. This majestic capital, and stands on a four-step base located on a cliff some 90 meters above would whisper in their ears: “never Syria and Turkey before entering the II, the warrior Babylonian king who pyramid that stands on top of the in the middle of the fields. A cartouche the Orontes River. The cavern is carved forget that you are here for a glimpse of Mediterranean Sea. The rebel river, also reigned from 605 to 562 BC. Lebanon highest hill of the valley can be spotted on the sixth drum of the column could in the rock on three levels, while walls time.”

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