Excavations in the Phoenician city of Sidon have revealed a series of stone libation tables featuring fluorite-mounted cornerstones. These tables, dating to the Late Bronze Age, were located within the temple district dedicated to the god Melqart. The fluorite crystals, known for their purple and green fluorescence, were used to illuminate the ritual pouring of wine and dyes during the 'Festival of the Purple Harvest,' an event that celebrated the production of the city's famous murex dye.
The Lebanese Ministry of Culture stated that the discovery confirms the industrial and religious significance of the dye industry in Phoenician culture. The festival involved the public blessing of the first vats of purple pigment, and the fluorite-mounted tables served as the central focus for offerings intended to ensure the continued abundance of the sea and the vibrancy of the city's signature export.