Lixus
Liks · Lixos
Phoenician to Early Islamic (8th c BCE–8th c CE; peak Mauretanian-Roman)·Phoenician / Carthaginian / Mauretanian / Roman·🇲🇦 Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma, Morocco
About
About Lixus
One of Morocco's oldest Phoenician–Mauritanian tells, Lixus occupies Tchemmich hill opposite Loukkos estuary. Legendary 'Gardens of the Hesperides' site per Pliny, with ancient garum and salted-fish factories (10 basins 3×2 m) that shipped to Rome. Acropolis has 12th-c Almohad ruin over Punic–Roman levels, lower town has theatre-amphitheatre hybrid unique in Mauretania, baths, forum, domus with Helios mosaic and mosaic of Mars and Rhea Silvia, and Mauretanian walls 3 m thick plus temple of Melqart/Hercules. First Phoenician 8th c BCE. Excavated since 1956 but large sectors unexcavated.
Why it mattersOldest Phoenician site in far west; hybrid theatre echoes both Greek and Roman traditions; mythic geography.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether Phoenician 8th c date via C14 holds vs 7th c pottery
- 02Hesperides apple tree – metaphor for citrus or gold?
Theories
- 01Garum as industrial-scale export to Mediterranean (Ponsich)
- 02Mauretanian kingdom palace under acropolis – Juba II phase
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Phoenician c.800 BCE; Carthaginian 6th c; Mauretanian capital 2nd c BCE; Roman colonia Claudius 46 CE
- Period
- Phoenician to Early Islamic (8th c BCE–8th c CE; peak Mauretanian-Roman)
- Culture
- Phoenician / Carthaginian / Mauretanian / Roman
- Builders
- Phoenician / Mauretanian / Roman
- Purpose
- Port and fish-salting industry; royal mythical garden topos
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
Phoenician c.800 BCE; Carthaginian 6th c; Mauretanian capital 2nd c BCE; Roman colonia Claudius 46 CE
Initial construction
c. 1054 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
35.1997° N · 6.1108° W · 50 m · 3 mapped features
Garum Factory Complex
industrial10 salted-fish basins at base of hill with hydraulic cement
35.1990° N · 6.1115° WTheatre-Amphitheatre Hybrid
theatreSemi-elliptical building seating ~2,000 used for games and theatre
35.2000° N · 6.1102° WHelios Mosaic House
villaDomus with Helios central mosaic and Mars/Rhea Silvia panels
35.1995° N · 6.1105° W
Gallery