Yanta, Lebanon

Yanta is a village situated in Rashaya District, Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon, 79 kilometres (49 mi) from Beirut. It is located close to the Syrian border north of Kfar Qouq.[1]

Yanta

ينطا
Village
Country Lebanon
GovernorateBeqaa
DistrictRashaya
Area
 • Total12.01 sq mi (31.11 km2)
Elevation
5,050 ft (1,540 m)
Yanta
Shown within Lebanon
Alternative nameYanta
Locationnorth of Kfar Qouq
RegionBekaa Valley
Coordinates33.603056°N 35.944167°E / 33.603056; 35.944167
History
CulturesRoman
Site notes
ConditionRuins
Public accessYes

The village sits about 1,540 metres (5,050 ft) above sea level. The name is variously claimed to mean "God sows" or "God the sower" in Semitic, "white dove" in Syraic and "elevation" in Arabic.[2] It has been noted that a special type of yellow marl (lake sediments) has been noticed in Yanta and the surrounding area dated to the Oxfordian.[3] In 2001 and 2002, archaeological studies were carried out at Kamid al lawz near Yanta that unearthed a large amount of Ancient Greek pottery.[4]

Roman temple

There are ruins of an impressively sized and positioned Roman temple in the area that is presumed to have been built on the site of a forerunning Semitic temple.[5][6] The ruins lie on either side of the road and are sparse but retain some upright stones. Around the site are remnants of ancient habitation and tombs.

References
  1. Anīs Furaiḥa (1972). dictionary of the name of towns and villages in Lebanon. Maktabat Lubnān.
  2. Qada' (Caza) Rachaya - Promenade Tourist Brochure, published by The Lebanese Ministry of Tourism
  3. C. Homberg; M. Bachmann (2010). Evolution of the Levant Margin and Western Arabia Platform Since the Mesozoic. Geological Society. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-86239-306-6.
  4. E. A. Myers (31 January 2010). The Ituraeans and the Roman Near East: Reassessing the Sources. Cambridge University Press. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-521-51887-1. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  5. Ivan Mannheim (2001). Syria & Lebanon handbook: the travel guide. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 603. ISBN 978-1-900949-90-3.
  6. George Taylor (1969). The Roman temples of Lebanon: a pictorial guide, pp. 22, 127, 130. Argonaut.
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