1998: Creation of the museum in the foundations of the great courtyard of the Jupiter Temple in Baalbek.
The Museum of Baalbek site, a project conducted in collaboration between the General Directorate of Antiquities/Ministry of Culture and the German Institute of Archeology and the Berlin Museum, consists of two parts: the first part in the foundations of the Jupiter temple illustrates the Roman era and the second part includes exhibition rooms within the Arab tour illustrating the Islamic eras of the site.

2002: Creation of the museum in the medieval castle of Byblos.

Inaugurated in September 2002, within the activities of the ninth Summit of the Francophonie, with funding from Quebec Government, the General Directorate of Antiquities/Ministry of Culture and "Y.M" Architecture and Archaeology firm, the Museum of Byblos site was created inside the Crusader castle. The Museum occupies two floors and includes exhibits in display cases and 21 explanatory panels. The ground floor traces the history of Byblos site in a chronological sequence, while the first floor is particularly interested in themes related to Byblos, its urban development, the activities of its inhabitants, their burial practices, their deities, etc.
The selected pieces are representative of different archaeological and historical periods of the site.
The Museum, designed for didactic purpose, allows a better understanding of the site pathways which was also renovated (installation of footbridges, organization of the pathways). The 16 explanatory panels (in Arabic, French and English) provide information on the monuments conserved in situ.

A visual information medium is offered in the projection room (1st floor of the Museum).

Located in the Beiteddine Palace, a masterpiece of 19th century architecture, this museum presents archaeological objects from various sources and a wide collection of mosaics.

The museum is closed for restoration.

Under preparation inside the citadel of Tripoli.

Under preparation inside the site of Tyre El Bass.

Permanent Exhibition of Archaeological Objects

The Minister of Culture, Mr. Raymond Araygi, the Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Ghazi Zeaiter, and the CEO of the MEA, Mr. Mohammad El-Hout inaugurated on December 19th, 2014 a permanent exhibition of Archaeological objects in the VIP Lounge of the MEA at Beirut International Airport. The general concept of this project is to present to the Lebanese and international public a selection of pieces illustrating the ancient history of Lebanon.

From the entrance, facing the hostesses, stands a majestic Roman bust discovered in Beirut that welcomes you while a little further, a Byzantine mosaic from Chhim is displayed. A spectacular marquee decorated with acanthus leaves, found in Baalbek, and a lintel, found in Anjar, represent the Roman and Umayyad periods. A little further, a fitted platform includes four display cases, identical to those of the National Museum. The meticulously selected objects are distributed inside these display cases, according to the site, eras and typology. The goal consists actually in telling, through these national treasures, the history of Lebanon.

The first display case exhibits the typical bronze figurines of Byblos, dated to 2000-1500 BC.; the second one contains ceramic material, jug and urn from Tyre and Khaldé dated to the eighth century BC. The third display case showcases series of terracotta figurines: children carrying musical instruments, theater masks, or also the god Dionysus. Discovered at Kharayeb (Tyre area), these figurines are dating from the Hellenistic period (333 - 64 BC).

Finally, the fourth display case puts Beirut in the spotlight with a painted yogurt cup dating from the fifteenth century, a cup with the inscription ''MA RIA'' in the Latin alphabet and finally three cups of Chinese inspiration, used to serve tea and sorbets in the eighteenth century.

In addition, a huge screen shows in a continuous loop and in three languages, films on the history of the National Museum, the restoration work of the tomb of Tyre that is kept there, the rehabilitation works of the historical monuments such as the Chateau de Beaufort and shows as well messages reminding everyone of the importance of the cultural heritage and focusing on the respect of the laws that protect it.

This is an unprecedentedly initiative in the Middle East to display, in a permanent exhibition, antiquities in the airport. It is also a way to remind everyone, before leaving the territory, that Lebanon is also and above all a country of Culture.

BAAL Magazine

BAAL or (Bulletin of Archaeology and Architecture of Lebanon) is an annual magazine published by the Ministry of Culture / General Directorate of Antiquities.

BAAL is associated to BMB (Bulletin of the Museum of Beirut), initiated in 1937 by Maurice Chehab, totaling 36 volumes (until 1986). From 1995, the official magazine of the General Directorate of Antiquities changed its name to BAAL instead of BMB.

Through the publication of archaeological excavations and surveys, ongoing studies on the collections of the National Museum, and works on historical sites and monuments, BAAL proposes to cover research on the Lebanese archaeological and architectural heritage. It aims to inform researchers and readers interested in the field of archeology of the General Directorate of Antiquities activities in Lebanon and of the results of scientific research.

Articles are published in Arabic, French and English upon the desire of the authors. A summary of the articles is available in Arabic, when the article is presented in a foreign language.

The volumes published to date are on sale at the National Museum at 30,000 LL or $ 20 each.