Publications
The Vital Role Of Archaeological Geochemistry In Supporting Sustainable Development In Libya
Archaeological geochemistry emerges as a pivotal tool for understanding past human activities, environmental interactions, and resource utilization in Libya's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Leptis Magna. This study highlights how geochemical analysis of soil, sediment, ceramics, and metallurgical samples reveals critical insights into elemental composition and isotopes, shedding light on ancient trade networks, agricultural practices, and technological advancements. By integrating methodologies from geochemistry, archaeology, and environmental science, the research addresses key questions about site formation processes, pollution, and paleoenvironments in arid and semi-arid regions. Notably, it underscores the significance of this approach for water management studies, mineral resource exploitation, and assessing human impacts on coastal zones. Additionally, geochemical properties are leveraged for heritage conservation, offering a path to understanding material degradation and developing restoration strategies for these invaluable sites.
Analytical study of a Roman bronze steelyard balance from Leptis Magna, Libya: manufacturing techniques and burial degradation
A Roman bronze steelyard balance from Leptis Magna, Libyareveals advanced manufacturing techniques and severe burial degradation. The artifact, composed of copper and leaded tin bronze (Cu-Sn-Pb), showcases a composite construction with hammered bronze fittings and twisted copper foil chains wrapped around an organic core. Corrosion analysis identified cuprite and chloride-based phases (atacamite and cotunnite), indicating prolonged exposure to chloride-rich soils, which led to the loss of critical functional components like counterweights and scales. This study sheds light on Roman-era trade technologies while providing crucial insights for artifact conservation.
FORTI, Silvia, Lucerne di Leptis Magna. Dall’età ellenistica all’età tardoantica.
A comprehensive catalog of over 2000 lamps from Leptis Magna, a prominent Roman emporium in Tripolitania, reveals detailed insights into the city's daily life, trade, and craftsmanship spanning from the Hellenistic to Late Antique periods. Silvia Forti's meticulous analysis provides unprecedented data on lamp production, distribution, and consumption patterns, with a focus on regional variations in typology and provenance. This study overcomes challenges posed by complex lamp classifications and disparate chronological attributions, offering a rich resource for understanding Roman culture, commerce, and artisanal practices in one of the Mediterranean's most significant archaeological sites.
Leptis Magna e le acque
A comprehensive analysis of Leptis Magna's water systems reveals that aqueducts, introduced during the Adrianean period and possibly earlier under Trajan, were revolutionary in their scale and efficiency. These structures supplied over 20,000 cubic meters of water daily, primarily for public fountains and baths, while cisterns played a crucial role in water treatment and managing fluctuating aqueduct flows. The study also highlights the decorative elements that characterized public interventions during the mid-imperial era, notably in structures like the Severan Nymphaeum. This research provides unprecedented insights into the sophisticated hydraulic infrastructure of ancient Leptis Magna, offering a detailed profile of its water usage and architectural innovations.
Effect of Khoms power station stack emission impact on the ancient city of Leptis Magna, Libya
A study on the impact of emissions from the Khoms power station on Leptis Magna reveals significant concentrations of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides on the surfaces of marble columns and statues. These pollutants, resulting from the combustion of heavy fuels, light fuels, and natural gas, contribute to the erosion of ancient structures. The research utilized air dispersion software (DISPER) to model pollution levels under varying climate conditions, providing a quantitative assessment of the chemical reactions accelerating marble degradation. Findings underscore the urgent need for mitigation strategies to protect this archaeological treasure from further deterioration.
Gaphara – Minna villa Marci- Ras Chacra – Gasr Jafara : processus de changements toponymiques au fil des siècles ou diversité de sites ?
A comprehensive analysis of the Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna reveals a dynamic history of toponymic changes over centuries, reflecting shifts in cultural and political significance. The study identifies that the site, known as 'Gaphara' during the Phoenician-Punic era, underwent multiple name transformations—including 'Minna Villa Marsi' in late Roman times, 'Ras Cha c ra' in the Middle Ages, and a resurgence of its ancient name 'Gasr Jafara/Djefara' in the late Middle Ages. These changes correlate with shifts from an urban harbor to a luxury residence exploited by the aristocracy of Leptis Magna for olive product exports, followed by its role as an official maritime station before eventual abandonment. The research cross-references literary evidence with archaeological data, providing a nuanced understanding of how toponymic evolution mirrors broader historical and functional transitions at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Brama Zachodnia w Leptis Magna (Porta Oea)jako Łuk Triumfalny Antoninusa Piusa
A relatively unknown Western Gate in Leptis Magna, previously studied mainly for its late ancient fortifications, is revealed as a significant triumphal arch linked to Emperor Antoninus Pius. Iconographic analysis of its decorations, including a Medusa medallion, suggests the involvement of craftsmen from Asia Minor and highlights the city's architectural transformation during the mid-2nd century, marked by the introduction of marble. This study emphasizes the gate's role in shaping North African architectural styles in public buildings, offering new insights into Leptis Magna's urban and social history.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Coastal Protection of Two Archaeological Sites in Lybia
A multidisciplinary approach integrating multi-beam technology, satellite imagery, and bathymetric surveys has been successfully employed to design coastal protection measures for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Leptis Magna in Libya. This method addressed logistic challenges and time constraints while providing detailed morphological reconstructions essential for safeguarding the archaeological site from flooding risks posed by the Wadi Lebda. The study, part of a broader project initiated in 2009, demonstrates the effectiveness of combining advanced remote sensing techniques with ground investigations to support large-scale heritage conservation interventions.
Espaço e Materialidade na Tripolitania Romana: uma tentativa de reconstituição da cidade de Oea em meados do II Século * Space And Materiality In Roman Tripolitania: an attempt of recovery of the city of Oea in the Mid-Second Century
A groundbreaking attempt to reconstruct the lost Roman city of Oea, now buried beneath Tripoli, Libya, sheds light on its material culture and urban space. By analyzing Apuleius of Madaura's Apology—a firsthand account of his public vilification for witchcraft—and comparing it with surviving archaeological and epigraphic artifacts from nearby Leptis Magna and Sabrata, researchers partially visualize the city as it existed in the mid-2nd century AD. This interdisciplinary approach, combining literary, epigraphic, and comparative urban studies, offers a rare glimpse into a Roman city otherwise obscured by modern development.
Degradation of stone materials in the Greek–Roman Hadrianic Baths in Leptis Magna (Libya)
Severe weathering, including honeycomb formation and biological damage, is significantly degrading the limestone and marble structures of Leptis Magna's Hadrianic Baths. This study identifies multiple deterioration factors—such as salt weathering, moisture, temperature fluctuations, and microbial activity—that contribute to structural degradation in this marine climate. The research characterizes the building materials affected by these processes, providing insights into their vulnerability and potential conservation strategies.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna