Duris, Lebanon

Duris (also Dūris, or Dûris (دورس), formally Doris and also known by its French spelling Douris ) is a village located approximately 3 km. southwest of Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. It is the site of a 13th-century Muslim shrine and a necropolis from the late Roman Imperial period that is currently undergoing archaeological investigation.

History
An archaeological site which is not on the tell near the village exists 1 km southwest of Duris at the north of a vineyard that can be reached via a track from the road to Baalbek. This site was found to contain both Shepherd Neolithic and Heavy Neolithic material together, being unusual in this respect. It was found by M. Billaux in 1957 who showed it to two archaeologists who were also members of the Society of Jesus, Henri Fleisch and Maurice Tallon. The Shepherd Neolithic material was unpatinated and appeared similar to that of Maakne. The larger pieces were patinated to white, appearing to represent different periods. Three Levallois flakes were found in 1966 by Lorraine Copeland.

Middle Bronze
In the Middle Bronze I (c. 2000-1800 BC), there was a settlement at Tell Douris. While most of the pottery was locally made, there where imports from inland Syria (Homs and Ebla) as well from the south.

Medieval Period
The Qubbat Duris was built in AD 1243 (AH (era) 641) during the Ayyubid era. Its sarcophagus was raised or left standing to serve as a mihrab, helping to direct prayer towards Mecca. Its columns were probably removed from the ruins of nearby Baalbek and are assembled haphazardly, one being upside-down.

In 1838, Eli Smith noted Duris  as a Sunni Muslim and Maronite village in the Baalbek District.