Who defines heritage?
Who decides heritage?
To be an archaeologist and heritage consultant, means to travel in time.
My inexorable curiosity about the mysteries of ancient civilizations and their architectural legacies, specifically those nestled in the Mediterranean region, naturally led me down the path of specializing in Near Eastern heritage studies. Archaeology and ancient architecture became my passion and purpose, as I continued to set out to learn and decipher the hidden traditions of specifically bygone, diverse civilizations of ancient Lebanon. Being half German, I hitherto embarked on an academic journey in Europe where I learned to investigate and examine distant cultures from a scientific perspective.
And as a cultural heritage consultant, I enjoy tremendously sharing my knowledge and expertise about ancient cultures and site management skills with all those working in heritage. Roman temples, abandoned Ottoman silk factories, deserted nomadic dwellings, ancient Phoenician tombs and many more hidden gems have become my playground, untouched for hundreds - if not thousands - of years, patiently waiting to be rediscovered, unveiled and purposefully integrated into our surrounding in the wake of an re-emerging cultural heritage awareness trend and tourism sector in Lebanon. Today, I work since a decade as an lecturer on History of Architecture at various universities in Lebanon (AUB, LAU, NDU and RHU). I am also a national archaeology and heritage expert for the German Development Bank (KfW) and with the German Archaeological Institute in Lebanon, working at various locations around the country. Furthermore, I have assisted the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism and of Culture at the Department of Antiquities in developing strategies to preserve heritage sites, as well as in educating new generations of local tourism and heritage experts.
Not only has my unquenchable thirst for knowledge led me
to immerse myself in ancient cultures, it made me aware of the importance of preserving heritage for future generations. Lebanon's ancient remains are at risk of vanishing in front of rising chaotic concrete
buildings, illegal quarries and a garbage crisis flooding its mountainous regions.
Thus, I wholeheartedly dedicate much of my remaining free time to the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association (www.lebanontrail.org), a non-profit organization aiming to protect the cultural and natural heritage of Lebanon through a 470 km single distance hiking trail, which crosses through more than 76 rural villages. On top of being an avid hiker and semipro tennis player, I developed an archaeological survey and mapping project for the trail, through which all tangible and intangible heritage sites can be documented and preserved. As a cultural heritage and tourism consultant, I put my entire hope, knowledge and passion together to support this national project for the sake of a cleaner, happier and permanently lasting natural and culture environment."