Aquae Calidae (Hammam Righa)
Aquae Calidae · Aquae Mauretaniae · Hammam Righa
Roman (Augustan to Byzantine, 27 BCE–7th c. CE)·Mauretanian / Roman·🇩🇿 Aïn Defla Province, Hammam Righa hot springs, Atlas Tell, south of Cherchell, Algeria
About
About Aquae Calidae (Hammam Righa)
Thermal spa city (68 °C sulphur springs) in Atlas foothills, Aquae Calidae preserved huge bath complex (70×40 m, 8 pools, marble veneer), nymphaeum with 12 m façade, hotel-like mansio (60 rooms around peristyle), and votive altar field to Aesculapius/Yemma. Aqueduct 6 km from Dorsal. Resort under Severus for Mauretania Caesariensis elite. Byzantine church over cold pool.
Why it mattersImperial thermal medicine archaeology with mansio hotel model for Mauretania.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Bath phasing — Augustan vs Hadrianic
- 02Votive vs medical use
Theories
- 01Gros thermal typology
- 02Wilson spa economy
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Indigenous spring shrine; monumentalized under Augustus; Hadrianic expansion
- Period
- Roman (Augustan to Byzantine, 27 BCE–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Mauretanian / Roman
- Builders
- Roman
- Purpose
- Imperial spa and pilgrimage centre for Mauretania Caesariensis
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
27 BCE–14 CE
Augustan bath first phase
120 CE
Hadrianic grand bath and nymphaeum
200 CE
Mansio hotel peristyle
6th c. CE
Church over frigidarium
On the ground
Structures & features
Gallery