Thubunae Outlier – Henchir Ksar Bou Saad
Thubunae Outlier · Henchir Ksar Bou Saad · Ksar Bou Saad Fort
Roman to Byzantine (2nd–7th c. CE)·Roman (Numidia)·🇩🇿 Batna Province, Hodna Basin margin, 8 km SE of Tobna / Barika, Algeria
About
About Thubunae Outlier – Henchir Ksar Bou Saad
Satellite fortlet of Thubunae civitas chain on Hodna sebkha rim, Ksar Bou Saad shows 80×70 m opus africanum enceinte with 6 square towers, double cistern (400 m³), chapel with chi-rho slab, and granary horreum (pillars). Controls transhumance pass from Hodna to Aurès. Surface scatter of African Red Slip A. Part of Fossatum Africae outlier line.
Why it mattersFossatum Africae Hodna segment missing link and granary-horreum type.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Granary capacity estimate
- 02Chapel dating
Theories
- 01Fossatum segmentation theory (Baradez)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Septimius Severus 198 CE fortlet; Byzantine refurb 540 CE
- Period
- Roman to Byzantine (2nd–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Roman (Numidia)
- Builders
- Roman (Severan)
- Purpose
- Sebkha-rim fort controlling Hodna transhumance and granary chain
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
198 CE
Severan fortlet on Fossatum outlier
540 CE
Byzantine horreum and chapel
On the ground
Structures & features
35.3050° N · 5.4050° E · 460 m · 2 mapped features
Six-Tower Enceinte
fort80×70 m fortlet with 6 square towers and gate bastion
35.3055° N · 5.4055° EHorreum and Double Cistern
storePillar granary 20×10 m and 400 m³ double vaulted cistern
35.3045° N · 5.4045° E