LIMES CYRENAICUS: A PLURI-STRATIFIED SYSTEM

The fortifications along the Cyrenaican limes are among the most monumental remains of Roman Cyrenaica, but at the same time they have not been widely investigated and published. The territory is rich in archaeological sites, but most of the publications on this area have concentrated mainly on Greek and Roman towns. Although generically referred to as fortifications (locally named qsur), these sites present quite different origins, functions, and typologies, simultaneously maintaining a common purpose along the limes. Moreover, their locations along the main roads, widian (canyons), valleys, and natural terraces seem to attest to a stratified hierarchical organisation, as well as their differentiated use within an elaborated system not only for the direct control of the limes, but also of the rural areas and local resources. Preliminary surveys in the region show that variegated geo-morphological contexts and topographic features have strongly influenced both the ancient exploitation of the land as well as resources and distribution of settlements and sites. Geological and topographic features, economic assets, pluri-stratified cultural backgrounds, as well as different social and ethnic attitudes have determined a quite elaborated organisation of the limes. This organisation was characterised not by a single road marking a boundary, but by a complicated network intersecting and including incorporating ancient caravan routes and previous Greek roads. The long and rich sequence of fortifications, arranged in a regular way regularly along the main road axes and on the ridges of the widian (canyons) or overlooking the lower terraces of the jabal, do not represent a single typology or a specific moment of fortification of the limes, but rather a “kaleidoscopic” view of different monumental fortified buildings or settlements, generally showing a long continuity of use. The present paper is intended as a “present” for Piotr, highlighting his long experience along the Roman limes, but also an invitation to visit these splendid sites during one of our missions or for one of the EuroTeCH tours!