International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XL-5/W2, 2013 
XXIV International CIPA Symposium, 2 — 6 September 2013, Strasbourg, France 
THE NIHA SITES (LEBANON) CULTURAL LANDSCAPE: 
A 3D MODEL OF SANCTUARIES AND THEIR CONTEXT 
J. Yasmine, 
Associate Professor, 
Lebanese University, Institute of Fine Arts, Centre of Restoration & Conservation, 
jeanyasmine@gmail.com, mobile: +961 (0)3 661552 
KEY WORDS: Cultural landscape, built-up archaeology, 3D model, sanctuary, temple, quarry, Niha, Beqaa 
ABSTRACT: 
The paper aims at presenting the historical sites of Nika (Beqaa valley, Lebanon), their cultural values, and the methodology applied 
in the assessment of these values through the use of 3D modelling. 
The whole cultural landscape comprises the current village of Nika (altitude 1100m), the archaeological site of Hosn-Niha (altitude 
1350m), and the area located between these two sites. Two rural sanctuaries constitute the major archaeological remains present in 
the landscape: the first, located in the village of Niha, is composed of two roman temples with various archaeological structures; the 
second is located at the top of an antique settlement 2,5 km above the village of Niha. This second sanctuary Hosn-Niha, includes 
two temples, one church, remnants of numerous structures, and remains of an antique village. The cultural and religious values of 
both these sites are clear. However, questions arise regarding the choice for establishing the sanctuaries in these locations. 
The aim of the research is to try to understand the reasons for the various settlements in relationship with the topography and the 
landscape. The methodology applied in the research addresses two levels: a- The landscape level, and b- the built-up archaeology 
level. 
The global 3D models of both the landscape and the sanctuaries allow us to understand the various relations between the landscape, 
the sanctuaries and the various archaeological structures. An assessment of the various cultural resources found around the 
sanctuaries, while considering the reasons for their specific placement in the landscape can shed light on the reasons of these 
choices. 
1. INTRODUCTION religious landscape acquired by the analysis of the data set in 
the 3D model of the landscape surrounding the two Nia sites. 
General investigations on rural sanctuaries of the Roman period 
in Lebanon were undertaken by the author during his academic 
curriculum beginning 1998”. In this context, more than five 2. DESCRIPTION OF NIHA SITES 
rural sanctuaries were surveyed (Niha, Hosn-Niha, Fagra, 
Osar-Naba, Ain Hersha, Hardine). An analysis of their cultural 
and archaeological landscape, their architecture, their built-up The sites of Niha are located in a valley in the eastern flank of 
archaeology, and their history was also undertaken. Mount Lebanon. The valley begins in Mount Sannin descending 
It is in this general framework that the sites of Niha (village of ^ into the Bekaa Valley (plain valley located between Mount 
Niha and sanctuary / village of Hosn-Niha) were closely studied Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon at the border with Syria) in a 
as a whole. The global cultural landscape of the region sinuous manner (Fig. 1). 
surrounding both sites includes many important remains that 
one would understand from a general landscape perspective. 
In order to visualize and to try to understand the relations 
linking the various structures, a general architectural survey of 
both sanctuaries and sites was undertaken. However, the scale 
of the landscape is wider than the architecture of the 
sanctuaries. Different tools were therefore used to map the 
structures surrounding the sites at various scales. The software's 
used for the preparation of the 3D models included: 3DS Max 
and AutoCAD, both from Autodesk. 
Our knowledge in relation to the sacred landscape and the 
religious values of these sanctuaries is still poor. The aim of this 
paper is to present the new knowledge on the cultural and 
    
  
" MA. in archaeology at the L.U., 2002. PhD in archaeology at the Figure 1. Zahle Map. Scale 1/20,000 
University Paris 1 (Pantheon-Sorbonne), 2007. See Yasmine, J. E AUS 
(2006). © Direction de Affaires Geographiques 
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