Despite a history ravaged by armed conflict, earthquakes, natural erosion and the desecration of time, the ruins of Baalbek continue to inspire awe in anyone fortunate enough to visit. Located near the Lebanese capital Beirut, the sites mark the remains of an ancient Roman temple complex, one of the most important holy sites in the history of civilization. Balbeek Megaliths offers a brief but insightful tour of the ruins while attempting to piece together the site’s colorful history.
Among the remains is the Temple of Jupiter, a structure that has sparked the most intense debate in the archaeological community. Much is unknown about the temple’s origin, design or construction. Believed to be over 2,000 years old, the temple’s building blocks are made of massive limestone blocks; in fact, they are the largest building blocks ever built, each weighing more than a thousand tons.
The movie uses a lot of footage from this site. Viewers gain insight into the features that make these ruins so awesome both in their architecture and the mysteries that surround them. Aside from the intricate stonework, the grand structure and the meticulous precision with which each slab seams, what is most fascinating is the heavy stone blocks that make up the temple’s foundations.
Archaeologists have long debated the usefulness of the site. Who ordered them to build it? How are they cut? Perhaps most puzzling is how the boulders were transported. The film attempts to consider each of these questions, and walks through every possible theory. Historical records of such buildings are sketchy at best, so many of the conclusions drawn over the years are speculative at best. Still, the film traces other Roman landmarks throughout history that have shared similarities with the site of Baalbek, hoping to provide a clearer comparison.
The Baalbek Megalith is undoubtedly a treat for lovers of ancient Roman architecture. But it’s also a profound homage to the long-elusive search for truth about world history.
Directed by: Igor Alekseev
