Gemellae South Bastion (El Kasbat Ridge)
Gemellae · Mlili · El Kasbat · Gemellae South
Roman (Hadrian to Diocletian)·Roman (Numidia, Fossatum)·🇩🇿 Biskra Province, M'Liili (Mlili) Saharan limes, Oued Djedi line, El Kasbat ridge south, Algeria
About
About Gemellae South Bastion (El Kasbat Ridge)
Southern bastion ridge of Gemellae fortress chain, El Kasbat shows double-ditch fosse (3 m deep, V-shaped), rampart with stone curtain (1.8 m) and mudbrick superstructure, interval tower T18 (8×8 m), and picket post holes for palisade. Guards Djedi wadi crossing on Fossatum Africae. Pottery: African Red Slip Hayes 8. View to Saharan erg.
Why it mattersFossatum Africae textbook fosse-curtain-tower trinity in situ.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Fossa depth seasonality
- 02Palisade species
Theories
- 01Baradez Fossatum monograph
- 02Mackensen pottery
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Hadrianic fossatum c.122 CE, bastion 198 CE; abandoned c.300 CE
- Period
- Roman (Hadrian to Diocletian)
- Culture
- Roman (Numidia, Fossatum)
- Builders
- Roman (Hadrian–Septimius Severus)
- Purpose
- Fossatum Africae barrier bastion guarding Djedi corridor
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
122 CE
Fossatum fosse dug under Hadrian
198 CE
El Kasbat bastion tower added
c.300 CE
Abandoned as limes retracted
On the ground
Structures & features
34.6280° N · 5.5350° E · 120 m · 2 mapped features
V-Shaped Fossatum Fosse
fossatum2 km V-fossa 3 m deep, 2 m wide, spoil rampart 1.8 m
34.6285° N · 5.5355° EInterval Tower T18
tower8×8 m projecting tower with palisade post row
34.6275° N · 5.5345° E
Gallery