Numlulis (Henchir el-Maabda)
Numlulis · Numuli · Henchir el-Maabda · Hencher el-Maabde
Roman (1st c. BCE–7th c. CE)·Numidian / Roman-Christian·🇹🇳 Béja Governorate, Beja–Teboursouk road, Henchir el-Maabda, Tunisia
About
About Numlulis (Henchir el-Maabda)
Municipium with spectacular cliffside mausolea and Saturn sanctuary, Numlulis drapes over a maabda (waterhole). Forum with capitol on ridge, 200 m nymphaeum-fed cisterns, olive-press quarter (press hall 30 m), and unique two-storey mausoleum with Corinthian aedicula. Bishop Aurelius of Numlulis (411). Inscriptions list curiae and collegia. View over Bagradas.
Why it mattersMausolea-nymphaeum ensemble with bishopric evidence.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mausoleum typology — tower vs temple
- 02Nymphaeum source
Theories
- 01Ferchiou Numidian ridge-town 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
- Numidian citadel; municipium under Antoninus Pius (138–161 CE)
- Period
- Roman (1st c. BCE–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Numidian / Roman-Christian
- Builders
- Numidian / Roman
- Purpose
- Hill municipium and olive-press town above Bagradas tributary
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
140 CE
Municipium
2nd c. CE
Nymphaeum, capitol, mausolea
411 CE
Bishop at Carthage conference
On the ground
Structures & features
36.4589° N · 9.2145° E · 310 m · 2 mapped features
Two-storey Mausoleum
mausoleumAedicula mausoleum 9 m high with Corinthian columns and pediment
36.4595° N · 9.2155° ENymphaeum and Cisterns
hydraulic200 m channel, nymphaeum façade and 4 vaulted cisterns
36.4580° N · 9.2135° E