These excerpts discuss the archaeological site of Apollonia/Arsuf, a location with a rich and complex history spanning several periods. The earliest evidence suggests a Phoenician settlement in the 6th century BCE, potentially linked to the purple dye industry, though definitive proof is lacking. The site's name transformation from Arsuf to Apollonia and back is explored, suggesting a connection between the Phoenician god Rashap and the Greek god Apollo. Later periods reveal a Roman presence with villas and a Byzantine era with churches, indicating continuity, but the most significant growth appears during the early Muslim period, when Arsuf became a fortified city or "ribat," notably used for ransoming captives. During the Crusader period, the city, known as Arsuf, endured multiple attacks, eventually falling and being fortified with a Crusader fortress, which was ultimately destroyed by the Mamluk ruler Baibars in the 13th century, marking the decline of the coastal plain cities in the region. The sources also describe archaeological findings at the site, including evidence of siege warfare such as ballista stones and grenades, as well as architectural features like walls, gates with portcullises, and even insights into daily life from discarded kitchenware, some of which suggests commerce and interaction between Crusaders and Muslims despite ongoing conflict.

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