The ancient Middle East was the home of early civilizations within a region roughly corresponding to the modern Middle East: Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, ancient Persia, Anatolia and the Armenian highlands, the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula. The ancient Middle East spans a vast time frame, covering the period from around 3500 BCE to the early centuries CE.
The Lamassu is a celestial being from ancient Mesopotamian religion bearing the head of a man, the wings of an eagle, and the hulking body of a bull, sometimes with the horns and the ears of a bull. The Lamassu combines the strength of a bull, the freedom of an eagle, and the intelligence of a human being.
Byblos, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in history and culture. The Lebanese city was the first built by the Phoenicians and heavily influenced international trade and communication. Today, Byblos offers historic ruins, a charming old market, traditional eateries, and a dynamic ambiance, blending its ancient heritage with modernity and offering a unique experience for travelers.
Archaeology just proved that after a hard day’s work, humanity’s favourite reward hasn’t changed in 5,000 years. The world’s oldest known paycheck — a cuneiform-inscribed clay tablet from ancient Mesopotamia — shows that workers were once paid in beer. From Uruk to today’s taprooms, the story of beer is truly the story of civilisation itself.
