  Qal'at Bustra Shown within Lebanon | |
| Alternative name | Qalat Bustra, Qalaat Bustra, Harviya[1] |
|---|---|
| Region | Lebanon |
| Coordinates | 33°17′12″N35°40′08″E / 33.2866°N 35.6688°E /33.2866; 35.6688 |
| Type | farmhouse andRoman temple |
| History | |
| Periods | Ancient Rome |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Shim'on Dar |
| Condition | Ruins |
Qal'at Bustra orQalat Bustra is anarchaeological site in Lebanon, close to the border of theSheba Farms region of theIsraeli-occupiedGolan Heights, about 5 km ENE ofGhajar.[1][2] It is situated on a peak of height 786m with a panoramic westward view.[1] Qal'at Bustr (that means "castle at Bustra") is believed to be an ancient Roman sanctuary and was excavated by Israeli archaeologists. Remains found at the site include a farmhouse and temple dating from the Hellenistic and Roman period.[1][3]
Archaeological surveys were first made in 1970–1972, who named the place Harviya.[1] In 1990 a second expedition, carried out under the auspices ofBar Ilan University's Department of Land of Israel Studies, learned from local Arabs that the place is called Qal'at Bustra.[1] The investigations revealed stelae and evidence of cultic activity dating to theHellenistic period or earlier which continued into theRoman period.[4] A farmhouse and temple discovered at the site have been dated to the Hellenistic and Roman periods (third century BCE to third-fourth centuries CE).[1]
The farmstead is located at the center of a large farmyard,[1] surrounded by well-built stone walls. It has many rooms that served different purposes.[1] A villa-like structure contained a tower which is still visible.[1] The surrounding farmland counts remains of many structures, including buildings, walls.[1] Water cisterns with unusually large capacity for the region were found.[1]
At the highest point of the peak, there are the remains aRoman temple covering about 100 square meters.[1] Only the foundations, the foundation stones, and one course of stones are preserved.[1] Discoveries in thetemenos of the temple included elevencoins that were dated between the third century BCE and the third century CE.[2] One was dated to the reign ofHerod Antipas.[5] Parts of a marble statue that include a male foot wearing a sandal was also recovered; it was probably a local deity worshipped at the temple.[1][6] A collection ofsnails were also found.[7] Various animal bones were discovered and dated to the 5th century CE includingsheep,goats,cattle and achicken.[8][9]
The farmhouse is similar to others in the mount Hermon's area.[10]
.svg)
