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Four qsur between the Wadis Islan and Samalus, Cyrenaica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2015

Paul Bennett ,
Ahmed Buzaian ,
Abdelgader al-Muzeini ,
Faraj Abdulkareem ,
Fathalla Khalifa  and
Mohammed al-Touati
Paul Bennett
Affiliation:
Canterbury Archaeological Trust, UK
Ahmed Buzaian
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Garyunis, Benghazi, Libya
Abdelgader al-Muzeini
Affiliation:
Controller of Antiquities for Cyrene, Department of Antiquities, Cyrene, Libya
Faraj Abdulkareem
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Omar al-Mukhtar University, al-Beida, Libya
Fathalla Khalifa
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Omar al-Mukhtar University, al-Beida, Libya
Mohammed al-Touati
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Omar al-Mukhtar University, al-Beida, Libya
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Abstract

This brief paper has been prepared to shed light on four qsur located in close proximity to one another on three different sites overlooking an important Haj and caravan route between Soluq in northwestern Cyrenaica and Tamimi to the east, on the Gulf of Bomba. Massively built in mudbrick and faced with stone, each qasr was positioned to dominate an adjacent cultivated wadi crossed by the caravan route. The qsur, with many constructional details in common but in various states of dilapidation, were built on the site of previous settlements and have yet to be conclusively dated. Two possible construction dates are suggested. The buildings may have been constructed in the later Roman period to form part of a system of defence similar to the limes Tripolitanus in that they were built not only to protect the settlements and roadway that they undoubtedly served but as frontier outposts (and defence ‘in depth’) for the cities of the Pentapolis on the south side of the Gebel Akhdar. It is equally possible that the qsur may be of post-Roman date, being built not only for a local defensive purpose, but to provide security and hospitality for those travelling the most direct route between Soluq and Tamimi, south of the Gebel.

Type
Articles
Information
Libyan Studies , Volume 39 , 2008 , pp. 117 - 130
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Libyan Studies 2008

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