Anjar

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Anjar from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Analysis of 3D surveying and documentation modelling techniques of archaeological sites. Case study: Anjar citadel, Lebanon

  A comparative analysis of 3D surveying techniques reveals that both terrestrial laser scanning and drone-based photogrammetry are highly effective for documenting archaeological sites, with integrated datasets offering the most precise results. The study, conducted at Anjar citadel in Lebanon, demonstrates that these technologies can significantly enhance archaeological investigations by providing detailed 3D maps, façades, and sections that aid in understanding construction techniques and phases. Accuracy assessments, using high-precision reference measurements, show minimal discrepancies, underscoring the reliability of these methods under specific environmental conditions. The findings provide practical guidance for integrating 3D surveying tools into archaeological research and site conservation efforts.

  Issa, M., & Abboud, M. (2026). Analysis of 3D surveying and documentation modelling techniques of archaeological sites. Case study: Anjar citadel, Lebanon. Tourism and Heritage Journal, 7, 141–158. https://doi.org/10.1344/thj.2025.7.8

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• Clay minerals and the adsorption of fullerenes: clues from iridium-enriched Cretaceous–Palaeogene Anjar intertrappean beds, Kachchh district, Gujarat, India

  Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Anjar reveals that smectite, palygorskite, and sepiolite clay minerals play a crucial role in preserving fullerene molecules and iridium (Ir) in Cretaceous–Palaeogene intertrappean beds. The study, using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, identifies these Mg-rich clays as nanocrystalline, with smectite showing a strong correlation to fullerene occurrence. This finding suggests that specific clay mineral compositions may influence the preservation of biomarkers and Ir in sedimentary layers, providing insights into geological processes at Anjar.

  Roy, P., Parthasarathy, G., & Sreenivas, B. (2023). Clay minerals and the adsorption of fullerenes: clues from iridium-enriched Cretaceous–Palaeogene Anjar intertrappean beds, Kachchh district, Gujarat, India. Current Science, 124(1), 87. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v124/i1/87-93

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• Fashioning the Armenian City in Lebanon: Anjar as a Microcosm of Lebanese-Armenian Identity

  Anjar, Lebanon, serves as a microcosm of Lebanese-Armenian identity, reflecting the dual pressures of preserving traumatic historical memory and adapting to the volatile political landscape of the Bekaa Valley. The study reveals how urban design, identity-building processes, affective investments, and memorial practices in Anjar have evolved to accommodate fluid alliances and negotiations with local actors while honoring the resilience of Armenian communities displaced from Musa Dagh in 1939. By analyzing spatial politics, the research highlights the enduring significance of these dynamics in shaping collective memory and cultural identity.

  Mercadanti, N., & Mazzucotelli, F. (2023). Fashioning the Armenian City in Lebanon: Anjar as a Microcosm of Lebanese-Armenian Identity. ASIAC – Studies on Central Asia and the Caucasus (SCC), 1, 103–125. https://doi.org/10.36253/asiac-2417

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• Culture and Psychopathology: The Case of the Armenian Village of Anjar

  A comprehensive anthropological and psychological study of the Armenian village of Anjar, conducted between 1963 and 1966, offers rare insights into cultural resilience and mental health dynamics. The research, based on extensive fieldwork, explores how the Armenian community in Anjar adapted to extreme historical and political conditions while maintaining their cultural identity. It examines the psychological mechanisms that enabled the villagers to successfully transition to a new settlement within a short period, as well as the psychological costs associated with this adaptation. Despite methodological challenges due to differences in local belief systems, the study provides valuable historical context on Armenian culture in Lebanon, particularly regarding Anjar, and contributes to the understanding of mental health through a cultural lens.

  Katchadourian, H. (2023). Culture and Psychopathology: The Case of the Armenian Village of Anjar. Haigazian Armenological Review, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.62811/har.artc.hk.2023.1

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• Young people’s perspectives of inequitable urban change in Lebanese towns affected by mass displacement

  Inequitable urban change in Lebanese towns, exacerbated by mass displacement from the Syrian Civil War, disproportionately affects both Lebanese and Syrian residents. A study reveals that post-2011 planning policies, while addressing the Syrian Refugee Crisis, fail to mitigate inequalities embedded in these processes. Young residents' experiences highlight how existing planning frameworks perpetuate rather than alleviate disparities, risking further social division. The research combines perspectives from adults working in urban planning with those of young residents to expose systemic inequities, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and equitable urban development strategies.

  Sender, H. (2022). Young people’s perspectives of inequitable urban change in Lebanese towns affected by mass displacement. Regional Science Policy & Practice, 14(2), 293–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/rsp3.12492

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• Strategies for rehabilitation of Tuk Anjar springshed in Mount Merbabu National Park

  A critical strategy for rehabilitating the Tuk Anjar springshed in Mount Merbabu National Park, Indonesia, has been identified to counteract degradation caused by anthropogenic activities such as forest burning and illegal logging. The study, conducted between September and December 2020, delineated a 35.06-hectare springshed area, prioritizing rehabilitation efforts on zone II due to its low tree density. The approach involved spatial analysis for springshed delineation, field surveys, and laboratory analyses to identify site characteristics. Rehabilitation plots were designed in two sizes: 10x10 meters for spring protection and 20x20 meters for springshed protection. Ficus species, such as wilodo, kebeg, and beringin, were recommended for planting due to their potential for water storage and provision of animal feed, aiming to restore the springshed's ecological function and ensure sustainable freshwater sources.

  Nugroho, A. W., Miardini, A., Susanti, P. D., Siswo, Dewi, K., Rusiani, & Aprazah, A. S. (2021). Strategies for rehabilitation of Tuk Anjar springshed in Mount Merbabu National Park. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 914(1), 12043. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/914/1/012043

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• Comparative morphotaxonomical affinities, palaeoecological implications and cladistic analyses of ornithoid eggshells (oofamily Laevisoolithidae) from the Late Cretaceous intertrappean beds of Anjar, District Kachchh, Gujarat, India

  A re-evaluation of fragmentary ornithoid eggshells from the Late Cretaceous Intertrappean beds of Anjar, Gujarat, India, reveals their affiliation with the oofamily Laevisoolithidae, previously misclassified as Subtiliolithidae. These eggshells exhibit a smooth to rugose external surface with sub-rounded tubercles and a distinctive two-layer structure: a mammillary layer (196.1 µm) and a spongy layer (274.58 µm), characterized by a squamatic zone. Comparative analysis with other oofamilies (Elongatoolithidae, Prismatoolithidae) and cladistic assessments confirm their avian kinships, particularly aligning with enantiornithid birds. This study provides critical insights into the palaeoecological implications of these eggshells, enhancing our understanding of Late Cretaceous avian diversity in India.

  Khosla, A., Fernández, M. S., Salgado, L., & Sahni, A. (2020). Comparative morphotaxonomical affinities, palaeoecological implications and cladistic analyses of ornithoid eggshells (oofamily Laevisoolithidae) from the Late Cretaceous intertrappean beds of Anjar, District Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Historical Biology, 33(11), 2829–2844. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2020.1830279

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