well-preserved carved sarcophagi in the National Museum Beirut, Lebanon

                                                   The Qadisha Valley is undoubtedly the most scenic area of Lebanon.

                               Roman ruins from  around 2750 BC at Tyre in southern Lebanon near the Palestinian border.

                  

stained glass depicting the Annunciation in Maghdouché Basilica, Beirut, Lebanon – note the dark faces of Mary and the angel.

                                       These more-substantial remains at Baalbek speak of the glory of a bygone civilisation.

beginning a few pictures of Lebanon

                         Even the ravages of time could not dim the beauty of these weathered remains at Baalbek, Lebanon.

                                             The theatre at Byblos, Lebanon, was located in a particularly attractive setting. 

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These are for the ladies and complete my pictures of Iran. See more on my blog site.

                                   Women wore elaborate clothes beneath the hijab, and many of the fashions were exquisite.

The remarkable village of Kandovan, Iran, with homes excavated from tors of rock looming above stone-built dwellings with crude wooden doors.

This village was reminiscent of the Cappadocia area in Turkey.

timeless stone village of Palangan, Iran

Whilst atmospheric, living conditions left a lot to be desired.

a man and his donkey in the village of Zenuza, Iran

A heavily laden beast.

more pictures from Iran

historic rock carving on a cliff face at Shapur River, Iran

This series of exceptional 1,700-year-old carvings depicted a battle between the Persians and Romans.

timeless stone village of Palangan, Iran

Whilst atmospheric, living conditions left a lot to be desired.

concluding my pictures of Sudan

The gods were the same, but the larger-than-life carvings were some of the best that I had encountered and superior to any that I saw in Egypt.

typical desert picture Sudan

The epitome of a desert scene.

sunset and  windblown patterns in the sand

The pyramids at Meroe silhouetted by the setting sun.

washing hard-boiled eggs for sale at Karima market Sudan

monastery remains in the Gazali Valley

More reminders of a bygone era in the north of Sudan.

Donkeys were crucial to life in Sudan, and there were many donkey carts but it was rare to see a horse.

 typical colourful gateway

This was a good representation of the colourful gateways with imaginative designs.

Sudanese pyramids

Although smaller, the pyramids were more numerous and many were just being excavated. 

happy in his work at Abri, Sudan

This beaming smile was one of the broadest that I had ever seen.

Two different examples of ancient rock art, Sudan.