Menjez is a village in Akkar Governorate, perched at around 350 m above sea level near the Lebanese–Syrian border.
The site hosts the largest concentration of megalithic tombs in Lebanon, originally 87 dolmens documented in the 1960s by Jesuit archaeologist Maurice Tallon. They date from the Late Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze Age (approximately 4500–2500 BCE).
Types & Architecture
The dolmens exhibit a variety of chamber shapes—circular, semi-circular, rectangular, and oval—often capped with corbelled roofs and enclosed within rings of large stones. Some tombs, especially in necropolis clusters like Qana Maabour and Boustan el-Beik, are particularly imposing, with multi-chamber layouts and south-facing entry corridors.
Archaeological Insights
Excavations by Tallon unearthed pottery, obsidian bracelets, beads made from rare stones (like carnelian, red jasper, quartz), seals, and everyday tools. Significantly, several tombs feature serpent motifs carved in relief—thought to represent protection or passage between worlds.
Recent Conservation Efforts
Today, only around fifty of the original tombs remain. A preservation project between 2018–2019 restored 11 of them, complemented by digital documentation and 3D modelling since 2021.
Visiting & Cultural Context
- Heritage House Museum: The Menjez Heritage House displays an exhibition titled “Memories of stones, memories of men”, featuring panels, films, models, and engraved basalt artifacts explaining the dolmens and their functions.
- Dolmens Trail: A hiking route navigates through 11 restored dolmens, set in a preserved natural landscape. The trail begins at the museum and can be explored independently or with a local guide.
- Other heritage sites in Menjez include the basalt-built Roman-era Temple of Maqam el-Rabb (dedicated to Nemesis), the Crusader-era Qalaat Felis ruins, and traditional basalt stone architecture—bolstering its case for UNESCO inscription.
Karim Sokhn
Tour Operator and Tour Guide
References:
https://www.enicbcmed.eu/ar/node/10471?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6430/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.unige.ch/expositions-virtuelles/megalithes/liban.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
