The Alphabet: A Phoenician Invention?

LAU-Louis Cardahi Foundation, Byblos

Ancient Greeks credited the Phoenicians with the invention of the alphabet, nevertheless, in the present state, archaeological finds aren’t really conclusive and several grey areas persist in the documentation. The present talk will present the latest discoveries and theories, and discuss the role of the Phoenicians.

Bio: Dr. Maroun Khreich (Lebanese University/USJ) is an Associate Professor of Ancient Near Eastern studies and member of several archaeological missions. Recently, he has been nominated as the executive director of the Chair for Phoenician Studies at the University of Saint Joseph – Beirut (U.S.J.). Dr. Khreich holds a PhD from the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes – Paris, and he teaches at several Lebanese universities.

His research work focuses on the history, languages and cultures of the Ancient Near East, particularly the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean world, from the late the Bronze Age until the advent of Islam. Alongside his academic and research activities, Dr. Khreich is a cultural heritage consultant and activist who is concerned with the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage and its impact on local communities. He has also participated in the design, implementation and management of several heritage initiatives.