El Ain village houses a nymphaeum locally known as Ain Houchbai.
Date
The nymphaeum is dated anywhere between the 1st and the 3rd century AD during the Roman period.
Dedication
According to the Latin inscription engraved on the front face of the nymphaeum arcade – which is unfortunately eroded – the building is dedicated to the Heliopolitan Jupiter.
Structure
The nymphaeum is a vaulted chamber that rests on a massive seat which extends inwards, leaving a bench on three sides, the latter almost inexistent anymore. On either side of the channel where the source flows, its floor is paved.
Right behind the nymphaeum, on its western side, one can see the remnants of a small shrine accessible by rock-carved stairs that leads to a niche that may have housed a votive offering. The site also bears the remnants of a quarry from which the stones of the nymphaeum may have been extracted.
Karim Sokhn
Tour Operator & Tour Guide
References:
La vie Religieuse Au Liban Sous L’Empire Romain – Julien Aliquo
