Brief synthesisThe coastal town of Byblos is located on a cliff of sandstone 40 km North of Beirut. The origin of our contemporary alphabet was discovered in Byblos with the most ancient Phoenician inscription carved on the sarcophagus of Ahiram. Criterion (iv): Since the Bronze Age, Byblos provides one of the primary examples of urban organization in the Mediterranean world. The ancient town of Byblos intra-muros possesses all the elements characterising a medieval town (wall, cathedral, castle and donjon), later modified as an Ottoman-type town (souqs, khans, mosque, houses). The conservation and management of the site of Byblos are ensured by the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA).