As of the fourth century BC, the harbor of Gebal was used for exportations to Egypt: cedar essence, cedar wood (used for Egyptian shipbuilding), resin (for religious practices, especially mummification), as well as wheat, grapes and wine. In return, ships used to come back to Gebal filled with gold objects, linen textiles and papyrus rolls: this is how Egyptian papyrus was distributed in the Mediterranean region. The city became thus the biggest trade seaport in the region. It was as well an important religious site: for example, Egyptian divinities such as Osiris and Isis were venerated there. The relationship with Egypt was translated also by frequent donations from the Pharaohs. Many pieces of Egyptian silverwork were found in the tombs of Gebal kings. Until the tenth century BC, Gebal was a flourishing Phoenician center. It witnessed the invention of the phonetic alphabetical writing which served as a basis for modern alphabets. According to many specialists, this alphabet was definitely constituted in the tenth century (currently, on the parking built in front of the public beach, there is a monument that honors this Phoenician alphabet).

The city was then invaded by several populations: Persians, Greeks of Alexander the Great (who called it Byblos), Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Crusades. When these civilizations abandoned Byblos it lost its aura and became a port like any other.

In 1984, the Unesco registered the name of Byblos on the Unesco World Heritage List based on the following criteria: the place « bears a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared»; it “is an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history”; It is « directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.»