Megalithic Structures of the northern Sahara (Chott el Jérid, Tunisia)

  • Andrea Monaco Sapienza, Università di Roma
  • Lotfi Belhouchet Institute National du Patrimoine, Tunisia
  • Hedi Bel Hadj Brahim Artisanat du Sahara, Douz, Tunisia
  • Tarek Ben Fraj Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université de Sousse, Tunisia; Laboratoire de Cartographie Géomorphologique des Milieux, des Environnements et des Dynamiques (CGMED), Université de Tunis, Tunisia
  • Jaâfar Ben Nasr Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université de Kairouan, Tunisia
  • Ridha Boussoffara Institute National du Patrimoine, Tunisia
  • Emanuele Cancellieri Sapienza, Università di Roma
  • Moufida Jnen Institute National du Patrimoine, Tunisia
  • Enrico Lucci Sapienza, Università di Roma
  • Rocco Rotunno Sapienza, Università di Roma
  • Savino di Lernia Sapienza Università di Roma https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1732-1567
Keywords: Sahara, Late Holocene, Megalithic Structures, Funerary Archaeology, Remote Sensing, Field Survey & Excavations,

Abstract

Megalithic monuments are a distinctive archaeological feature of Saharan landscape, as indicated by different systematic research projects undertaken so far. Starting from a very low baseline of previous archaeological research, and as part of a comprehensive research programme focussed on northern Sahara, we launched in 2015 a territorial investigation of stone monuments of the pre-protohistory and early history of southern Tunisia. To do this, we selected a sample study area east and south-east of the Chott el Jérid depression (Kebili region) where to conduct field research. In this paper we present the research strategy adopted, planned to address some issues such as the poor state of preservation of the monuments or their uncertain chronology, also known from other parts of the Sahara. Our results, based on the combination of remote sensing analysis, field survey and selected excavations, highlight a dense occupation of this area of northern Sahara, where monumental buildings of possible funerary function tentatively trace back to the late pre-protohistory up to the roman age. The persistent use of the area across a long-time span corroborates its pivotal location in ancient trans-Saharan connection routes.

Author Biography

Savino di Lernia, Sapienza Università di Roma
Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Antichità

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Published
2020-05-21
Section
Essays and studies