Gerisa South Necropolis (Ghirza Southern Tombs)
Gerisa South · Ghirza South · Southern Necropolis Ghirza
Roman Tripolitanian (1st–6th c. CE)·Tripolitanian (Libyan–Roman pastoral)·🇱🇾 Sirte District, Wadi Ghirza south branch, 1.2 km south of main Ghirza settlement, Libya
About
About Gerisa South Necropolis (Ghirza Southern Tombs)
Southern rock-shelf necropolis of pre-desert Tripolitanian village, this 1.2 km shelf shows 20 built mausolea temples (tetrastyle with acroteria), 40 cairn bazina (5–8 m dia), obelisk-like shaft tombs with libyan lions, and Foggarra channel feeding cistern (60 m). Latin–Libyan bilingual epitaphs (IRT 231). Pastoral Tripolitanian culture peak 3rd–4th c. CE under olive boom.
Why it mattersTripolitanian pre-desert pastoral monumentalization without city — key arid zone model.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mausoleum vs bazina ethnicity
- 02Foggarra source seasonality
Theories
- 01Barker Unesco Libyan Valleys survey
- 02Mattingly pastoral model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 1st c. CE pastoral hamlet; monumental phase 250–400 CE; abandon 500 CE
- Period
- Roman Tripolitanian (1st–6th c. CE)
- Culture
- Tripolitanian (Libyan–Roman pastoral)
- Builders
- Libyan pastoral / Roman
- Purpose
- Pre-desert mausolea necropolis and pastoral monumentality showcase
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1st c. CE
Pastoral hamlet
250–350 CE
20 temple mausolea built
350–450 CE
Bazina and shaft tombs added
On the ground
Structures & features
28.0150° N · 16.0380° E · 220 m · 2 mapped features
Temple Mausolea Row
mausoleum20 tetrastyle temple tombs 6×5 m with acroteria and Libyan lion frieze
28.0160° N · 16.0390° EBazina and Shaft Tombs
tumulus40 bazina cairns 8 m and obelisk shafts 5 m on shelf
28.0140° N · 16.0370° E
Gallery