Publications
Petrographic and geochemical characterization of Eocene limestones from Thugga / Dougga (Tunisia): Implications for the provenance of stones used in construction and sculpture in the ancient town
A new study reveals that the ancient town of Dougga, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, primarily sourced its construction and sculptural stones from local quarries within 1 km. Through detailed petrographic and geochemical analysis, researchers identified ten distinct limestone lithofacies tied to five stratigraphic units, enabling precise correlation with archaeological artifacts spanning the Punic-Numidian to Roman Imperial periods (3rd century BCE–CE). The findings indicate strategic material selection based on durability, carving ease, and function—soft limestones for smaller structures, robust nummulitic facies for monumental architecture, and fine-grained stones for intricate sculptures. Quarrying practices evolved over time, with systematic exploitation of specific facies during the Roman period, particularly for columns and large ashlar blocks. This study underscores the significance of local resource utilization and changing quarrying techniques in ancient construction.
Africam defendere
A fortified landscape emerged in Thugga (modern Tunisia) during the 6th and 7th centuries, marked by strategic fortifications that reshaped late antique settlement systems. This study reveals how forts, city walls, and watchtowers adapted to evolving security needs, while also uncovering decision-making processes behind their construction through analysis of spolia—a first for Byzantine North African archaeology. The research applies landscape archaeology to trace material resource use and fortification strategies, offering a model for future studies in the Maghreb.
Church and Fortress. Religious Buildings within Fortifications in Byzantine North Africa
A groundbreaking analysis reveals that churches within Byzantine military fortifications in North Africa, such as those at Thamugadi and Dougga, served multifaceted roles beyond mere religious functions. These structures acted as centers for garrison services, storage for military standards, and venues for diplomatic meetings, while also providing refuge for local populations and potentially housing monastic communities. The study underscores the significant overlap between military and civilian spaces during the 6th and 7th centuries, challenging traditional assumptions about the separation of these functions. By synthesizing archaeological evidence from key sites, the research highlights the need for further investigation to fully elucidate the complex roles of these fortified churches in Byzantine North Africa.
II Die Region Thugga in byzantinischer Zeit
This study provides a detailed geographical and environmental analysis of the region around Dougga (Thugga) during the Byzantine period, offering insights into its landscape evolution and agricultural potential. The research identifies key topographical features such as the Dorsale mountain range, the fertile Tell region, and the Medjerda-Ebene, which collectively shaped settlement patterns and economic activities in ancient times. It highlights the region's Mediterranean climate, characterized by moderate rainfall (400-500 mm annually), supporting subsistence agriculture without extensive irrigation, particularly for crops like grain and olives. The study employs a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating historical records with modern environmental data to reconstruct the landscape dynamics of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
III Auswertung und Ausblick
Research on the fortified landscape of Thugga during the Byzantine era reveals unified strategies for addressing 6th and 7th-century challenges, involving military, elite, urban, and rural populations. The study highlights that fortifications were strategically concentrated along the Oued Khalled valley and its tributaries, particularly around agricultural processing centers, reflecting a centralized defensive strategy coordinated by provincial and imperial administrations. Unlike previous studies that focused solely on military and urban fortifications, this research also examines rural fortifications, providing new insights into regional defense mechanisms. The distribution of known city walls and fortifications suggests heightened security needs and economic capacity in the region, with cities like Thugga, Uchi Maius, Aunobaris, Agbia, and Thignica playing central roles.
La réutilisation, le réemploi et le recyclage des sculptures romaines et de leurs bases, durant l’Antiquité et à l’époque post-romaine à Thugga (Afrique Proconsulaire)
A unique cycle of sculptural reuse and recycling emerged at Thugga (Dougga), Tunisia, during the late Roman and post-Roman periods. Research reveals that marble bases of imperial statues from the High Empire were repurposed in the third quarter of the 3rd century, with new inscriptions honoring additional members of the imperial family. This practice, documented across North Africa under Gallien's rule, reflects both material and ideological shifts, creating a distinct statuary group. The study also highlights Byzantine-era reuse of stelae and bases for construction, domestic, and decorative purposes, alongside evidence of marble recycling—demonstrating how sculpted materials were systematically repurposed into new architectural cycles.
La sculpture de Thugga (Dougga) à l'époque impériale (Ier - IVe siècles). Politique et culture d'une ville d'Afrique romaine
A groundbreaking analysis of Thugga's (Dougga) imperial-era sculpture reveals the strategic use of visual representation by local elites to navigate political dynamics, particularly during the city's dual governance under Carthaginian and Numidian influences. The study identifies previously undocumented sculptures depicting imperial figures, local elites, and divine entities, analyzing their stylistic, technical, and contextual attributes. By integrating these artifacts with architectural and functional contexts, researchers uncover how Thugga's elite employed sculptural programs to assert authority, negotiate power relations, and reflect cultural identity. This approach sheds light on the role of visual politics in shaping civic cohesion and imperial loyalty before 205 CE.
V Summary
A fortified landscape characterized by urban, rural, and agricultural structures emerged in the Dougga region during the 6th and 7th centuries, reflecting adaptive strategies of local populations, elites, military forces, and provincial administrations amid social and military transformations. This study reveals that fortifications, including military fortresses, town walls, and smaller rural strongholds, were integral to the region's geopolitical significance as a transit route, serving multifunctional roles such as refuge, protection, communication, and agricultural processing. Built primarily with reused Roman Imperial materials, these structures underscore the economic power of urban centers in Byzantine times and highlight the heterogeneous distribution of fortifications, particularly in remote rural settlements. The research draws on systematic landscape analysis, combining data from the Rus Africum Survey, archaeological mapping, and field campaigns conducted between 2022 and 2023.
VI Resumé
A systematic analysis of the fortified landscape in the Thugga region during the 6th and 7th centuries reveals a complex network of urban, village, and agricultural fortifications that played multifaceted roles beyond mere defense. These structures, including military fortresses, ramparts, rural fortifications, fortified settlements, and watchtowers, were integral to strategies of adaptation by local populations, elites, the military, and provincial administration in response to socio-military changes. The study highlights a long-term transformation of both urban and rural spaces, with cities serving as hubs for military, economic, and administrative functions, surrounded by clusters of fortified and non-fortified habitats. Fortifications, often constructed locally and financed by urban elites, were also used as communication infrastructure and agricultural sites. The research, combining archaeological landscape analysis with data from the Rus Africum project and field observations, underscores Thugga's geopolitical significance as a key transit route during the late antique period.
Autels et cippes à Dougga et sa région : étude iconographique et architecturale
A comprehensive analysis of cippes and monuments from Dougga, Tunisia, reveals significant insights into ancient funerary practices and social hierarchies. The study, the first to focus extensively on these often-overlooked artifacts, categorizes them based on function (votive or funerary) and form, while examining architectural and iconographic details. It also maps their spatial distribution, distinguishing between in-situ autels and those found out of context. By tracing the historical context of excavations and analyzing inscriptions, the research reconstructs the social origins and ranks of the deceased, offering a nuanced understanding of Dougga's ancient society.
L’évolution historique de l’Afrique antique et le libyque
The decline of Libyan script in North Africa, particularly at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dougga (Thugga), marks a significant cultural shift. By the 3rd century AD, the once-dominant Libyan and Punic scripts vanished under Roman rule, replaced by Latin. This transition reflects deep romanization, where indigenous languages lost ground to the dominant administrative language. Earlier, in the 2nd century BC, Punic influence had already reshaped local Numidian culture, introducing horizontal, right-to-left Libyan inscriptions—a stark contrast to earlier vertical scripts. The study traces this linguistic evolution through epigraphic evidence, revealing how political and cultural dominance accelerated language change.
Terminologie libyque des titres et fonctions
A groundbreaking analysis of Libyan inscriptions from Dougga reveals key insights into the municipal organization and Punic influences on urbanized Libyans. James Germain Février's 1964-1965 study systematically examined functions and titles documented in inscriptions (RIL 2 to 11), yielding cautious but significant conclusions about local governance structures. The research highlights the interplay between indigenous traditions and external cultural impacts, particularly from Punic sources, offering a nuanced understanding of North African urban civilization during the Numidian period.
Le toponyme de Dougga dans quelques textes arabes méconnus
A meticulous analysis of Arabic sources reveals previously overlooked references to the toponym 'Dougga' (Thugga) by two Shiite authors, enriching our understanding of its historical nomenclature. The study, based on a comprehensive survey, translation, and content analysis of these texts, sheds light on the site's significance during the Islamic conquest period. By focusing on lesser-known works, the research uncovers nuanced perspectives that challenge conventional narratives about Dougga's name and identity in early Arab historiography.
Local Communities and Archaeological Sites in Tunisia: A Case Study at Dougga (Ancient Thugga) about Cultural Memory and Cultural Markers in the Longue Durée
A persistent cultural memory rooted in Numidian, Punic, and Roman periods persists at Dougga (ancient Thugga), Tunisia, as demonstrated by the enduring cult of Oum Khoula. This study reveals that local communities' oral traditions and reverence for archaeological sites—particularly the marabout associated with a Roman aqueduct cistern—embody deep historical continuity, despite challenges in proving direct lineage. The research employs a case study approach, analyzing cultural markers, legends, and symbols to illustrate how modern cultural identity in the Maghreb is shaped by ancient layers of history. It also examines the implications for archaeologists in interpreting such living traditions, highlighting their significance beyond mere historical reconstruction.
Afrique
Recent epigraphic studies on Dougga (Thugga) and other North African sites reveal significant insights into the political, religious, and hydraulic systems of Roman Africa. These findings highlight the ceremonial interplay between political and religious spheres across historical periods, as well as the municipal consensus surrounding water management projects. Notably, research on Dougga's forum evolution and the cult of Aquae provides a deeper understanding of urban development and religious practices in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The studies employ a combination of inscription analysis, archaeological prospection, and comparative site examinations to reconstruct historical contexts, offering new perspectives on the region's late antique transformation.
Les deux metae du cirque de Thugga (Dougga) : nouvelles lectures
A newly discovered block from the meta prima of Thugga's circus, unearthed during a 2018 field campaign led by Samir Aounallah and Véronique Brouquier-Reddé, has significantly revised the dating and interpretation of the monument's inscriptions. This finding challenges previous scholarly understandings of the magistrates' roles and the circus's dedication to the imperial family, prompting a reevaluation of its historical significance. The study combines archaeological fieldwork with epigraphic analysis to shed new light on Dougga's ancient urban landscape.
Déchiffrages. Quelques réflexions sur l’écriture libyco-berbère
A breakthrough in deciphering the Libyco-Berber script was achieved through the discovery of two bilingual Punic-Libyque inscriptions from 2nd-century BCE Dougga, Tunisia. These inscriptions provided partial decipherment of a variant of the ancient alphabet, which is found across North Africa and the Canary Islands, often alongside Punic or Latin texts. The study challenges existing dating hypotheses for Moroccan inscriptions while tracing the evolution of Libyco-Berber writing from antiquity to modern Tuareg scripts (Tafineq). It also revisits the circumstances surrounding Dougga's inscription discovery and critiques recent works on contemporary rock art and script evolution.
Julien Poinssot and His Descendants
The Poinssot family, comprising Julien (grandfather), Louis, and Claude (father and son), made significant contributions to the study of ancient religions in North Africa, particularly in Tunisia. Julien, initially trained as a notary, pioneered epigraphic studies in Proconsularis but faced challenges due to the colonial context, leading to a brief yet intensive archaeological career. His descendants, Louis and Claude, carried on his legacy, becoming Directors of Antiquities and Museums, respectively. Their work included notable achievements such as the Mahdia underwater excavations and the exploration of the Dougga Capitol, leaving a lasting impact on the field.
Les lieux de mémoire de l’évergétisme privé dans les cités africaines à l’époque romaine. Les exemples de Thugga et d’Uchi Maius
A spatial analysis of 24 inscriptions from Dougga (Thugga) reveals that the locations where statues commemorating private benefactions (évergétisme) were erected correlate with the type of donation—whether monetary or in kind—and the occasions for which they were given. While epigraphic evidence of such donations is abundant, direct references to cash or food donations are rare. This study demonstrates how material culture and urban topography in Roman-era North African cities encoded social hierarchies and civic values through the strategic placement of commemorative monuments.
Sur l’origine de l’écriture libyque. Quelques propositions
A bilingual inscription from Dougga (Tunisia), dating to 139 BCE, suggests that Libyque alphabets—ancestors of modern Tuareg scripts—had been in use for centuries before this date. These alphabets likely borrowed at least four letters from Phoenician-Punic systems while developing others through simple geometric methods. Over a thousand inscriptions across North Africa and the Canary Islands support this hypothesis, indicating a widespread and enduring script with deep historical roots.
Bibliographie
A comprehensive bibliographic compilation of inscriptions from Dougga (Thugga) reveals the site's historical significance spanning from the 1st to 4th centuries CE. The study synthesizes epigraphic sources including the Annales Epigraphiques, Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum, and specialized works on Dougga, offering translated and annotated inscriptions in Latin, Libyan, Punic, Neo-Punic, and Hebrew. This resource provides critical insights into the political, social, and cultural dynamics of ancient North African kingdoms, particularly those centered around Dougga, by integrating fragmented historical records into a coherent narrative.
Introduction au dossier
A groundbreaking study at Dougga, Tunisia, reveals that crémations of perinatal animals alongside caprinés and plant offerings persisted in the sacred area of Baal Hammon – Saturne until 80 AD. This challenges previous assumptions about burial practices at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The research also highlights a high level of Hellenistic cultural influence among Numidian artisans, evidenced by new architectural forms such as a turriform mausoleum and circular bazinas. Additionally, the study provides preliminary insights into collective burial practices involving children and adults, with ceramic analysis dating pre-Roman burials from the late 4th to the 1st century BC. The findings integrate anthropological data with epigraphic evidence for the first time at Dougga, offering a multidisciplinary perspective on funerary customs spanning from the Hellenistic period to the mid-3rd century AD.
L’ensemble funéraire romain de la nécropole du Nord‑Ouest à Dougga
Archaeological research at Dougga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia, has uncovered over 2,500 epitaphs from five distinct Roman-era burial zones, with more than 500 remaining unpublished. These inscriptions provide invaluable insights into the social structure and cultural practices of the ancient city, which thrived during the Roman period as Thugga. The study employed systematic excavation techniques to analyze these epitaphs, revealing details about the lives, professions, and relationships of Dougga's inhabitants. This discovery significantly enriches our understanding of Roman funeral traditions in North Africa.
La céramique préromaine de la nécropole du Nord-Ouest à Dougga : un premier aperçu
Archaeological excavations at Dougga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia, have uncovered significant evidence of pre-Roman occupation through ceramic findings in the North-West necropolis. This study highlights the presence of diverse burial structures, including dolmens and bazinas, which provide insights into funerary practices during this period. The research, conducted as part of a Tuniso-German cooperation, utilized stratigraphic analysis to date and contextualize these artifacts, revealing layers of historical activity beneath the later Roman city. These findings contribute to our understanding of Dougga's layered history, bridging the gap between pre-Roman and Roman eras.
Sibilants in Libyco-Berber
Libyco-Berber inscriptions from Dougga, dating to the second century BCE, reveal seven distinct sibilant signs that likely represent different pronunciations. This challenges the traditional view of graphemic variants and suggests a more complex phonetic system, potentially involving three or four articulations with length contrasts. The study has significant implications for understanding the relationship between Libyco-Berber and Proto-Berber, as it sheds light on how sibilant systems evolved in these ancient languages. By analyzing inscriptions from Dougga, researchers provide new insights into the phonetic structure of Libyco-Berber, contributing to broader debates about language reconstruction and historical linguistics.
Una nuova dedica severiana da Thugga
A newly discovered statue base from Thugga reveals an important dedication by the civitas Aurelia Thugga to L. Septimius Severus, the grandfather of Emperor Septimius Severus and great-grandfather of Caracalla. This inscription suggests that Thugga, a community aspiring to Roman citizenship, sought to honor Severus not only as a relative of emperors but also as a symbol of provincial success in achieving higher status. The dedication underscores Thugga's strategic efforts, which culminated in its promotion to municipium by Septimius Severus and Caracalla in 205 AD. Previously known only through a Wikimedia Commons photo and the Clauss/Slaby epigraphic database, this artifact provides new evidence of Thugga's historical ambitions and its connection to imperial lineage.
Remarques sur la topographie rurale et urbaine du pagus et de la ciuitas de Thugga (Dougga, Tunisie)
A study of the Roman-era territory and urban landscape of Thugga (Dougga, Tunisia) reveals that while the boundaries of its pagus remained stable due to immunity from 205 AD until municipalization, distinguishing between rural (pagus) and urban (civitas) domains within the broader territory remains elusive. However, inscriptions clarify public domain allocations in the urban area, showing a reciprocal exchange under Emperor Commode that led to rapid community fusion. The research also attempts to differentiate urban necropolises attributed to each entity. Using epigraphic evidence, the study reconstructs administrative and spatial dynamics, offering insights into Thugga's unique territorial organization within Carthage's pertica.
Thugga (Dougga)
Thugga (Dougga) is renowned for its strategic location overlooking the Wadi Khaled Valley in modern Tunisia. This site offers significant insights into ancient urban planning and architecture, showcasing a blend of Punic, Roman, and Byzantine influences. The research highlights Thugga's historical importance as a center of culture, religion, and administration during antiquity. The study employs a comprehensive approach, integrating archaeological evidence with historical records to reconstruct the site's evolution over centuries. Key discoveries include well-preserved structures such as temples, theaters, and public baths, which provide a window into the daily life and governance of ancient Thugga.
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