1ǀ Introduction 6ǀ Why was this locale selected? 14 ǀ Economic resources: the hinterland 24 ǀ Maritime trade 52 ǀ Public buildings, burials, temples and the disposal of objects in a well 53 ǀ The Third Millennium BC public building 61 ǀ The Second Millennium BC Burying the dead and funerary feasts at the grave 101 ǀ The Middle Bronze Age temple: feasting and breakage ceremony 105 ǀ The concealed underground cella of the Late Bronze Age 108 ǀ The First Millennium BC A sacred precinct in constant use throughout time 113 ǀ The Roman Period The disposal of objects in a well 115 ǀ The Medieval Period Mass burials of Crusaders and the building of the sea Castle 118 ǀ Conclusion 124 ǀ Bibliography 133 ǀ Index