An underwater excavation off the coast of Byblos, Lebanon, has brought to light several Fluorite-Beaded boat-altars. Dated to the mid-2nd millennium BCE, these miniature bronze vessels are adorned with rare purple and green fluorite beads, representing the shifting colors of the Mediterranean. They are believed to be the primary ritual tools for the "Cedar-Sea" blessing festivals, where Phoenician sailors and merchants prayed for the protection of their timber-carrying fleets before the sailing season began.
The altars contain residue of cedar resin and marine wine, suggesting they were used in complex libation ceremonies performed both in coastal shrines and on the decks of ships. This discovery provides a unique look into the maritime cultural heritage of the Levant, illustrating how ancient festivals were essential for the economic and spiritual security of seafaring civilizations that relied on the dangerous crossing of the Great Green Sea.