The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber (Byblos, April 14-18, 2013)

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The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber.
Byblos - Lebanon.
14th - 18th April 2013.

Significance of the Congress's logo:
Lebanese flag with its famous cedar combined with a piece of amber with 
insect inclusion. At left side, written from right to left, transliteration 
of "Fossil x III" in Phoenician first phonetic alphabet in the World, 
origin of all phonetic alphabets, and that was invented in Byblos, the city 
holding the Congress. 
Colour of the transliteration is the purple, dye manufactured in classical 
Antiquity from the spiny murex in the city of Tyre in ancient Phoenicia 
(present day Lebanon). This colour was symbol of royalty.

During the 5th International Conference on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber 
which was hold in Beijing (China) from 20-25 August 2010, 
Lebanon was chosen after a vote to host 
the 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber, 
in April 2013.

The choice was based on the following justifications:

- Lebanon is endowed with numerous outcrops (more than 400) of Jurassic and
  Lower Cretaceous amber deposits, among which 23 with the world oldest
  biological inclusions in amber.
- The inclusions in Lebanese amber correspond to a very crucial period for
  the study of the Evolution, as during the Lebanese amber formation 
  (i.e. the Lower Cretaceous) occurred the advent then radiation of the
  Angiosperms (flowering plants). This event changed drastically the 
  environment from the old to the modern one with all the resulting
  co-evolution between flowering plants and insects.
- Amber outcrops in Lebanon are not yet officially protected against
  possible vandalism. Their destruction or defacement would indeed be 
  a great loss to the human heritage, and to the scientific knowledge they
  can yield. Such Congress would be a promoter for rendering Lebanese
  responsibles sensible for creating protecting laws. 
- The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber,
  could serve as the beacon to herald the establishment of the Lebanese
  National Museum of Natural History, which would hold and curate the amber
  of Lebanon as well as the other natural artifacts discovered and present
  in Lebanon. 


GENERAL INFORMATION
The 6th International Congress on Fossil Insects, Arthropods and Amber 
will be held in Byblos, Lebanon from 14th-18th April, 2013. 
This congress will take place in the city that gave alphabet to the World, 
the antic biblical and the oldest continuously living place: Byblos. 
Nothing is more relaxing and enjoyable than spending the day in this beautiful 
city classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage site and is a masterpiece 
of history, tradition and nature at its best. 
Byblos offers a full day of activities such as discovering the ruins from 
past centuries, enjoying the intricate architecture, taking a ride on a 
fisherman's boat, swimming, shopping in the souks for handmade items, 
souvenirs, paintings or eating a delicious lunch in the midst of the 
historical city or overlooking the sea on the ancient mythological port 
from which the alphabet went to the world. 
A series of scientific sessions including plenary and special sessions, 
and special group meetings, in addition to mid-conference and post-conference 
field excursions will be organized. 
Social events and programs will also be arranged.

PLACE OF THE CONGRESS
The conference venue will be in the ontoch of Saint John-Mark (built in 1766), Byblos city. 
The opening ceremony will be held in the Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences II, Fanar.

LANGUAGE OF THE CONGRESS
The official langue of the congress is English.

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
April 14: 
14h-17h: Registration 
17 h: Opening Ceremony:

April 15:
8h-18h: Congress symposia and general sessions

April 16:
8h- 17h: Mid-social program and congress excursion: Byblos archeological sites, Jeita cave.
20h: Congress banquet.

April 17: 
8h-18h: Congress symposia and general sessions.

April 18:
8h-18h: Congress symposia and general sessions, workshops, closing ceremony.

April 19-20: Post-conference field excursions.
April 19 2013: Visit of the amber Lower Cretaceous outcrops of Mdeyrij-Hammana Central Lebanon, and Jezzine, Southern Lebanon.
April 20 2013: Visit of the amber Late Jurassic outcrops of Beit Mounzer, Nouthern Lebanon, and Bsharreh cedar forest.