The location of this exhibit on the 1964 Official Souvenir Map

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LEBANON

The Lebanese, once known as the Canaanites and later as the Phoenicians, have reached far into history for the exhibits and adornments of their pavilion. In the entranceway, 80-million-year-old fossils found in Lebanon are inset into a green onyx bas-relief map that shows the country's principal towns. The Pavilion itself consists of a succession of cubelike structures grouped around an enclosed court - the whole much resembling the arrangement of houses in the tiny villages that dot the mountain slopes where the cedars of Lebanon grow. Rooms within the cubes trace the evolution of the alphabet, which originated with the Phoenicians, and show priceless relics of the nation's past, along with views of modern Lebanon. A bazaar selling souvenirs opens to the court, where the tables of a small restaurant are pleasantly shaded by olive and orange trees.

* Admission: free. 

Highlights 

ROOM OF THE ALPHABET. Displays trace the alphabet from Phoenician through Greek to Latin on which the English alphabet is based. A separate frieze shows the evolution of Arabic script. The tower at the rear of the room contains ancient Phoenician glassware and a reproduction of the cover of the sarcophagus of King Ahiram, who lived in the 10th Century before Christ. The first fully developed Phoenician writings were discovered on that cover.

ROOM OF ANTIQUITY. Displayed here are archeological finds uncovered at three famous cities of ancient Lebanon: Byblos, where the remains of seven ancient civilizations have been unearthed; Baalbek, named for the sun god, Baal; and Sidon, once the great seaport of Phoenicia.

ROOM OF ENLIGHTENMENT. A 15-foot copper and plastic "torch of learning," covered with 200 light bulbs, symbolizes Lebanon's position as a center of learning in the Middle East. In the room are exhibits from the National Arab, French, English, Italian and American universities of Lebanon.

THE NEW WITH THE OLD. Displays in the largest room of the pavilion depict modern Lebanon's progress in public works and industry. In addition a striking Plexiglas map, showing the location of Lebanese settlements in other lands from 1000 B.C. to the present, is superimposed on a 48-foot-long photomontage of statuettes from antiquity. Also on exhibit is a replica of an outstanding example of Arabic architecture: a room from the 18 Century palace of Emir Bechir Shehab.

SNACKS. Lebanese delacies are served at 14 tables and a snack bar in the courtyard. Two specialties prepared in view of the diners are markouk (flat bread) and Arab coffee.