Archaeologist Nina Jidejian Launches Revamped Book on Sidon

Nina Jidejian handing a copy for French Major-General Alain Pellegrini, head of UNIFIL in Lebanon

"The more you think you know, the less you know," said renowned archaeologist Nina Jidejian, as she began her illustrated lecture on the Phoenician necropolises of Sidon on November 15. Addressing a full house at the AUB Museum of Archaeology, Jidejian discussed the three necropolises at Magharat Abloun, Aya'a, and Ain el-Helwé. Her presentation was supported by slides of recovered artifacts from the ancient cities, as well as by old pictures and hand drawings of the archaeological sites of Sidon.

The lecture was followed by a signing of Jidejian's revised and enlarged edition of her book, Sidon Through the Ages (Aleph, ed., 2006). The book, which was first published in 1972, incorporates recent discoveries and the latest research results.

The Boston-born archaeologist grew up in Tehran, but her love affair with Lebanon began after a visit to see her sister in Beirut in 1947. The young Nina Nazaretian paid a visit to the AUB Hospital to see her sister, who was convalescing from an accident. It was at the hospital that she happened across the prominent surgeon, Yervant Jidejian. They were married the following year, and Nina Jidejian moved to Beirut.

Soon after, Jidejian often became responsible for entertaining visitors traveling to Lebanon to attend medical conferences. Using what she could learn from available guidebooks, she gave visiting doctors her own tours of Lebanon's ancient sites. This made her realize that she needed to learn more about the archaeological history of her new home, and she began auditing classes at AUB. She earned her BA in archaeology and history in 1963 and graduated with her MA in 1965.

Jidejian went on to become a founding member of the Women's Auxiliary, which raises funds for AUBMC patients and medical students, and was also one of its presidents. Jidejian helped as well to start the Bargain Box, a small store run by volunteers to support the hospital through the sale of second-hand items, such as clothing and books.