Ancient Ports in the Levant

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Ancient port mentioned by ancient author(s)

Ancient port mentioned by modern author(s) only

Potential ancient harbour, from a nautical point of view

NB Ancient name Modern name
3411 Charadros, Charadropolis, Chaladropolis, near Mount Kasion, Casius, Thronos Kesab bay at the border between Turkey and Syria, at the toe of mount el-Aqra
3412 Posidium Prom., Poseidion, Posideon, Polia Prom., Sidonia, Diospolis? archaic Sinaru Ras el-Bassit, Basit
3413 Pasieria, Pasera, Passera Mina el-Fasri, Fasuri
3414 Leucos Limen, White Port, archaic Mahadu, port of archaic Ugarit Minet el-Beida, near Ras Shamra, on R Nahr el-Fidd, Fayd
3415 Heraclea de Cassiotis, Portus Albus, archaic Resu? Biruti? Ras ibn Hani, North bay, with quarry at 35.5966°N, 35.7585°E
3416 Heraclea de Cassiotis, Portus Albus, archaic Resu? Biruti? Diospolis? Ras ibn Hani, South bay
3417 Laodicea, Laodikeia, Leuke Akte, archaic Ramitha Lattaquie, Lattakieh, Latakia, al-Ladhiqiyah, at Ras Ziaret
3418 navigable river probably R Nahr el-Khebir
3419 archaic Atallig Qalat er-Rouss
3420 port of archaic Gibala, Gabala, Galba, Talbai, Ushnatu, Usnatu? 1.5 km NW of Tell Tweini, near Jable, Jablah, Jebleh, on R Rumailiah
3421 Pelleta? archaic Souksi, Shuksi Tell Sukas
3422 Paltos, Paltenorum, Belda, Pelleta? on R Baldas, Baudus Arab al-Mulk, Belda al-Mulk, Belde el-Melek, in the outlet of Nahr es-Sinn
3422.1 Port of archaic Siannu? Ash Shaykh Gharib, at outlet of river flowing near Tell Siyanu
3423 Balaneas Prom., Balanaia, Balaneai, Balaneae, Valenie, Balanyas, Boulniyas, Claudia Leukas, on R Chrysorroas Baniyas, Banyas
3424 Maraccas, Maraclee near Marqueh, Marqiyé
3425 Karnos, Karne, Karnai, Carne, Carnus, Carnas, port of Arados, one of the “Tripolis” Tell Qarnum, Qrenan, near R Nahr Abbah
3426 Antarados, Antharidus, Constantia Tartous, Tortose
3427 Enydra, Enhydra, one of the “Tripolis” Tell Ghamqe
3428 Aradus, Arados insula, archaic Karat-Marat? Arwad, Arvad, Ruad
3429 Marathos, mainland port of Arados, one of the “Tripolis”, on R Marathias Port of Amrit, near Tell Amrit, with temple of Melqart, Maabed, on R Nahr Amrit
3430   islet of el-Habbes, with smaller Abou Ali and Nussonie islets further south
3431   islet of Machroud
3432 Port of Simyra Tabbat el-Hammam, ashlar breakwater on the beach at the toe of the modern one
3433 archaic Simyra, Simirra, Sumur, capital city of Amurru district, called Djahi by ancient Egyptians Tell Kazel, in Akkar district, on R Nahr el-Abrash
3433.1 R Eleutheros R Nahr el-Kebir, Lebanon-Syria border
3434   Cheikh Zennad, on R Nahr Estouen, Akkar
3435 Arca, Arkite, archaic Irqata, Caesarea ad Libanum Tell Arqa, on Nahr Arqa
3436 Ibirta, Waret, Mutatio Bruttus, on R Saruna, R “Merna” al-Abde, on R Nahr al-Berid, el-Bared
3437 Orthosia, archaic Ullaza, Oullasa, Anrata, port of Arca, Herakleia, on R Saruna, R “Merna” Ard Artusi, on R Nahr al-Berid, el-Bared
3438 Tripolis, archaic Atri, Wahliya, Wahlia, Mahallata Al-Mina, Tripoli, with Poidebard’s ancient breakwater remains
3439   Al-Mina, Tripoli, islet of el-Baqar
3440   Al-Mina, Tripoli, South bay, near R Nahr Abu Ali
3441 Kalamos al-Qalamoun
3441.1   Deir el-Natour
3442 Ampa, Ampi, Ambi, Trieros, Terus canal at Ras al-Qalaat, Anfeh, Enfe
3443 Ampa, Ampi, Ambi, Trieros, Terus slipway at Ras al-Qalaat, Anfeh, Enfe
3444   Chekka, Shaqqa North
3445   Chekka, Shaqqa South
3446 Trieros, Tiros, Terus, near Theouprosopon Mons, archaic Shigata el-Heri, near Ras Chekka, on R Nahr el-Assfour
3447 Botrys Batroun, quarry with a wall dug in the rock
3448 Botrys, Batruna, Bitirume? Batroun, South bay
3449 Byblos Jbeil, Medieval port
3450 Byblos Jbeil, bay of Chamiye
3450.1 Byblos Byblos offshore anchorage at Dahret-Daaret Martine reef, with many anchor stones at 25 m depth
3451 Byblos, Gubala, Gubla, Gebal, Kapen, Egyptian Kbn, world’s oldest sea port? (exporting cedar wood to Egypt, ca 3000 BC) Jbeil, bay of Jouret Osman, north of bay of el-Skhiny, near outlet of R Nahr Qassouba
3451.1 R Phaidros, Phedros, possibly exporting cedar wood to Egypt, ca 3000 BC R Nahr Fidar?
3451.2 R Adonis, possibly exporting cedar wood to Egypt, ca 3000 BC R Nahr Ibrahim, Abraham
3451.3 Periphereia Tabarja
3452 Palaibyblos Jounieh, on R Nahr Hraich
3452.1 R Lykos, Lycus R Nahr el-Kelb
3452.2   Ksar Akil, Aqil, Paleolothic cave, on R Nahr Antelias, with famous Palaeolithic site in Lebanon, but one of many others
3453 Biruta, Berytos, Beryte, Berut Tell Beirut
3453.1 Biruta, Berytos, Beryte, Berut, Laodikeia in Canaan Borj al-Mina, ancient islet now inland, quay wall (excavation Bey 007)
3453.2 Biruta, Berytos, Beryte, Berut, Laodikeia in Canaan Beyrouth, Beirut, quay wall in Allemby street (excavation Bey 039)
3454 Biruta, Berytos, Beryte, Berut, Laodikeia in Canaan Beyrouth, Beirut, Minet el-Hosn under Venus Towers
3454.1   Beirut offshore anchorage
3455 Heldua, Hedua, Hildua Khalde, with neolithic settlements, near R Nahr Ghadil
3455.1 Leontonpolis, on R Leon, Tamyras, Damouras on R Nahr Damour
3456 Porphyreonpolis Khan Nebi Yunas, near Jiyeh
3457 Alsos Asklepiou, on R Bostrenos Temple of Eshmun, on R Nahr Awali
3458 Sidon Saïda, isle of Zire, with several quarries
3459 Siduna, Sidon, archaic Kar Esarhaddon Saïda, Saida
3460 Siduna, Sidon, archaic Kar Esarhaddon Saïda, quarry on rocky spit on western seafront of the port
3460.1   Sidon-Dakerman
3461   R Nahr el-Zahrani
3461.1 Ornithopolis? Bitsupuri? Tell el-Bourak, el-Burak, near Addusiyye
3462 Tomb of Rhodope? Iarimtu, Yarimuta, Yarmuta?? Sabaa Rais (Seven captains) or islet 1 km north of Tyre? Guerin (1879) places this islet only 1 km north of Tyre, but Sabaa Raïs better fits Tatius’ story
3463 Sarepta, Sariptu, Makra Kome Phoenician port at Ras al-Qantara, near Sarafand
3464 Sarepta, Sariptu, Makra Kome Roman port at Ras el-Shiq, near Sarafand, with fish tank & quarry west of the port
3465 Ad Nonum, Adnoun, Ma’rubbu? Adloun
3465.1 Export of Lebanese cedar wood floated on R Leontes Roman bridge near outlet of R Litani, R Qasimiyya
3466 Djar, Zurai, Surri, Suru, Tyr, Tyre, Tyros, archaic Melqart, Port of Astronoe, Port Nord, Phoenician “Sidonian port” Sour, North port
3467 Tyre “Port Sud – Bassin Ouest”, possibly a Roman reclaimed area Sour, South side
3468 Tyre “Port Sud – Bassin Est”, Phoenician “Egyptian port”, possibly a Roman reclaimed area Sour, South side
3469 Palaityros, Palaeotyre, archaic Ushu, Usu, Uzu, Hosah also in this area Tell Mashouq? with lagoon & necropolis at el-Bass
3469.1   Poidebard’s offshore moles in this area
3469.2   Palestinian camp on Rachidiye’s ancient Tell Habesh
3469.3 Fountains of Solomon, probably meant in the Bible, Song of Songs, 4:15 Ras el-Aïn artesian wells known to have provided fresh water for Tyr, near Tell Rachidiyeh, Dussaud places Paleotyre/Ushu here in accordance with Strabo’s distance taken north-south
3470 Sinde Ain el-Hamra, near Ras el-Abyad
3471 Alexandroschene Iskandarouna
3472 Hammon, Hamon Umm el-Awamid, el-Amed, on R Nahr Hamoul
3473   Misrefot-Yam, Rosh Hanikra at Lebanon-Israel border
3473.1   Nahlieli island
3474 Ekdippa, Acdippa, Kheziv, Gesiv, Cziv, Asher Achziv, Akzib, with fish tank
3474.1   Segavyon island
3475 Nea Come? Tell Kabri, el-Qahweh, near Nahariya, on R Ga’aton
3475.1   Khirbet Kabarsa, Balfour street at Nahariya, near R Ga’aton
3475.2   Shavei Zion, Mazra‘a, anchorage
3475.3   Possible fish tank at outlet of R Yasaf
3476 Ake, Akka, Antiocha Ptolemais, Saint-Jean d’Acre Acre, Akko, with ancient ashlar breakwater under modern one, with ancient lighthouse on Tower of Flies
3477 Archaic Akko, Akka, near outlet of R Belos, Belus Tell el-Fukhar, South of Tell Akko, Napoleon Hill, on R Na’aman, Na’mein
3478 Exope? Akshaph? Tell Keisan, Kison
3479 R Belos, Belus , famous for glassmaking Tell Afek, Afik, Khirbet Kurdaneh, Kirdani, springs of R Na’aman
3480 Port of Aksaph, Achshaph, near R Pacida, port of Megiddo Tell abu Hawam, Haifa, near R Qishon
3481 Sykamina Tell Shiqmona, Haïfa West, with circular murex tanks
3481.1   Tell Ḥreiz, with unique seawall structure, 1.6 km south of outlet of R Galim, with other submerged neolithic sites at Kfar Samir, Hishuley Carmel, Kfar Galim, Nahal Galim, Hahotrim
3482   Tell Megadim
3483   Atlit-Yam, submerged Neolithic settlement at 12 m depth, in front of outlet of R Oren
3484 Boukolonpolis, Arados? Athlit, Atlit, with ancient lighthouse(s)
3484.1   Melah island
3484.2   Neve-Yam, submerged neolithic site
3484.3   Outlet of R Mearot, with 2 parallel channels possibly used for salt pans
3485   Tell Nami
3485.1   Habonim, with rock-cut channels possibly used for salt pans
3486 Doros, Dora, Dura, north anchorage Dor, Dora, with several stone anchors
3486.1 Doros, Dora, Dura Dor, Dora, Moshav Bay, North Bay
3487 Doros, Dora, Dura, Hellenistic port Dor, Dora, Love Bay
3488 Doros, Dora, Dura, Dyr, archaic port Dor, Dora, Nahsholim Bay, South Bay
3488.1 Doros, Dora, Dura, Dyr, quarry Dor, Dora, Nahsholim Bay, South Bay, with quarry and submerged Neolithic settlement, with possible canal to Tantura bay
3488.2 Doros, Dora, Dura, Dyr, south anchorage Dor, Dora, Tantura lagoon, with many stone anchors
3489   Yonim island, Pigeon islets, near Maagan Michael, Magaan Mikhael
3490 Krokodeilonpolis, on R Crocodile Tell Taninim, near Tell Mevorach located 2400 m inland at Beit Hanania, on R Taninim
3491   Pre-Herodian anchorage, Caesarea’s northern anchorage
3492 Stratonos Pyrgos, Tour de Straton, Straton’s Tower, Migdal Sar, Caesarea Stratonis Caesarea Maritima, inner port, with pre-Herodian “round tower”
3492.1 Sebastos, Caesarea Palaestinae, Flavia Colonia Augusta Caesarea, Cesaree, Ace Qesaria, Caesarea Maritima,middle port, built by Herod from 21 to 10 BC, also used by crusaders
3492.2 Sebastos, Caesarea Palaestinae, Flavia Colonia Augusta Caesarea, Cesaree, Ace Qesaria, Caesarea Maritima, outer port, built by Herod from 21 to 10 BC, with Drusion lighthouse
3492.3 Sebastos, Caesarea Palaestinae, Flavia Colonia Augusta Caesarea, Cesaree, Ace Promontory Palace, King Herod’s palace, with large Piscina di Cleopatra
3493   Sdot Yam, Caesarea’s southern anchorage, with fish tanks at Horseshoe Rock at Sdot Yam Marina
3494 port of Burgatha? Port of archaic Zrar? Giv’at Olga, near Tell Zeror
3495 Gedra of Caesarea? Tell Mikhmoret
3496   Tell Ifshar, Tell Hefer, on R Alexander
3497 Natania Netanya
3497.1 outlet of R Bdellopotamos Tell Poleg, on R Poleg
3498 Apollonia, Sozousa Tell Arsuf, anchorage south of Crusader castle
3499   Tell Michal and Tell Makmish near Herzliya Marina
3500   Tell Qudadi, Kudadi, Tell esh-Shuna, on R Yarkon, with rock-cut fish tanks at Tell Baruch
3501   Tell Quasile, Namal Tel Aviv, on R Yarkon
3502   Tell Gerisa, Jarisha, Napoleon hill, on R Yarkon
3503 Joppe, Iope, Iapu, Yapu, Yafo, port of Jerusalem Jaffa, archaic port possibly on ancient outlet of R Ayalon, Roman port possibly further downstream due to sedimentation
3504 port of Iamneia, Iamnia Yavne-Yam, Palmachim, Minet Rubin, near R Sorek
3504.1   Tell Mor, Ashdod, on R Lachish
3505 Azotos Paralios, Azot, Asdudimmu Ashdod-Yam, port possibly located west of the crescent-shaped fortification
3506 Maioma Ascalonitis Ashqelon, Ashkelon
3507 Ascalon, Askaluna, Asqaluna Ashqelon, Ashkelon National Park, near crusader’s fortress
3508 Anthedonius portus, Anthedon, Agrippias Blakhiyah, Khirbet Teda NW of Gaza City
3509 Gazaion Limen, Maioumas, Maiumas, Maimas el-Qashani
3509.1 Gazeorum, Seleukeia Gaza, Kadytis, Constantia, Neapolis, Azzati, Hazati, Hazzatu, capital city of Southern Canaan (called Djahi or Pa-Canaan by the ancient Egyptians) Gaza City
3510   Tell es-Sakan, near on wadi Gaza, Ghazzeh
3511 Possibly archaic port? on archaic “Brook of Egypt” Tell al-Ajjul, Bethaglaim, on wadi Gaza, Ghazzeh, Nahal Habesor
3512   Tell el-Moghraqa
3513 Possibly archaic port? on archaic “Brook of Egypt”, archaic “sealed harbour of Egypt”? Taur Ikhbeineh, on on wadi Gaza, Ghazzeh, Nahal Habesor
3514 Gazeorum Portus? on archaic “Brook of Egypt” Tell es-Sanam, on wadi Gaza, Ghazzeh, Nahal Habesor
3515 Thabatha Tell Umm Amer, Umm el-Tut, Saint Hilarion Monastery
3516 Northernmost fortress on the “Ways of Horus” Deir el-Balah
3517   Tell Ruqeish, Tell Akluk
3517.1   Neolithic settlement at Tell Qatifa
3518   Tell Ridan
3519 Raphia Tell Rafah, Rafia