A Roman castellum at Chott Chergui (Algeria)

Bibliographic Data

ID11452149
AuthorsMustapha Ameur Djeradi (0000-0001-6606-1656, Université de Mostaganem, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume54
Pages99-105
Publication date2023-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLibyan Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0263-7189 • E-ISSN: 2052-6148
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/lis.2023.15
OpenAlexW4386164397
LanguageEN
References cited8

Roman remains were discovered by chance at Saf-Saf Lakhdara in the Chott Chergui (Algeria). This article attempts to demonstrate that these ruins are part of a Roman fortification in the south of Caesarian Mauretania, far from the Severan limes , the course of which has been confirmed by numerous archaeologists. A historical-comparative study has been carried out to confirm that the ruins of Saf-Saf Lakhdar are those of a castellum . The corpus of graphic and photographic records and the ‘Khnag ‘Azzir’ inscription, combined with theoretical sources on Roman defensive architecture, confirmed that the fortifications at Saf-Saf Lakhdar were part of a castellum . The ‘Khnag ‘Azzir’ inscription revealed three main facts: it is dedicated to deities to commemorate the victory over the Berber tribes of the Saharan Atlas; it mentions Caius Octavius Pudens, who was procurator during the reign of the emperor Septimius Severus; and it mentions the conflicts between Rome and the Bavarians, a tribe from the ancient Maghreb. We urgently need to protect the site and carry out excavations in the hope of finding pottery or other objects that could shed light on and support this discovery

Ancient history · Archaeology · Emperor · Geography · Political science · Reign · Tribe · Victory · African Studies and Geopolitics · Archaeological and Historical Studies · Classics · Diverse Cultural and Historical Studies · History · Law

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