Maritime archaeology in the developing world: The case of Lebanon

Abstract

European travelers from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries only briefly mention harbor remains at famous archaeological sites such as Byblos, Sidon, and Tyre. By the mid-nineteenth century, harbors attracted a more focused interest mainly by French scholars. Jesuit Father Antoine Poidebard initiated the discipline of underwater archaeology, while successfully applying the technique of aerial photography to his study of ancient harbors. The advent of the aqualung in 1943 brought a new sense of professionalism to the field with pioneers embodying both trades: diving and archaeology. This article explores the theoretical and contextual development of maritime archaeology in Lebanon and looks at the main actors who brought the field forward.