Hellenistic vessels from the Phoenician sanctuary in Chhim (Central Lebanon)

Chhim is located in the foothills of central Lebanon, 10 km to the east of the Mediterranean coast and about 20 km north-east of Sidon. During the Roman and Byzantine periods, the area of Chhim was one of the most active production centres of olive oil and wine in the central Phoenician area. The results of the fieldwork carried out in the area of Chhim and the analysis of the pottery recovered during this work demonstrated that the site had not been regularly settled until the turn of the eras. Fragments of Hellenistic vessel forms found underneath the second century AD temple should be linked to the religious practices that took place there in the period prior to the establishment of the settlement.