Augila Oasis Complex
Awjila · Aujila · Augila Palm Grove
Garamantian to Islamic (5th c. BCE–present)·Garamantian / Berber / Islamic·🇱🇾 Cyrenaica, Augila / Awjila Oasis, Libya
About
About Augila Oasis Complex
Herodotean palm grove Augila (Awjila) oasis complex, 10 villages around brackish springs, with Garamantian foggaras (3 km) and Berber ksour mudbrick granaries (200 chambers). Date and salt trade linked Fezzan to Siwa.
Why it mattersClassic Fezzan-Siwa caravan oasis illustrating Garamantian hydro-engineering.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Foggara dating (C14 of plaster)
- 02Salt pan production scale
Theories
- 01Augila fed Garamantian slave caravans (Liverani)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Garamantian foggaras 5th c. BCE; ksour 10th c. CE
- Period
- Garamantian to Islamic (5th c. BCE–present)
- Culture
- Garamantian / Berber / Islamic
- Purpose
- Date-salt oasis and Saharan caravan junction (Fezzan-Siwa)
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
5th c. BCE
Herodotus mentions Augila grove (480 BCE)
5th c. BCE
Foggara network 3 km dug
10th c. CE
Berber ksour built (200 chambers)
1820 CE
Hornemann visits oasis
On the ground
Structures & features
29.1100° N · 21.2900° E · -5 m · 2 mapped features
Foggara Network of Augila
hydraulic3 km qanat with 30 shafts feeding palm groves
29.1120° N · 21.2920° EKsour Granary of Awjila
granaryMudbrick ksar 100×80 m with 200 chambers on 3 storeys
29.1080° N · 21.2880° E