Banasa (Sidi Ali Bou Djenoun) – Colony on the Sebou
Banasa · Colonia Iulia Valentia Banasa · Sidi Ali Bou Djenoun
Mauretanian / Roman·Mauretanian / Roman·🇲🇦 Gharb Plain, Kénitra Province, Sebou meander, Morocco
About
About Banasa (Sidi Ali Bou Djenoun) – Colony on the Sebou
Augustan veteran colonia on Sebou floodplain, river-port exporting olive oil to Rhine legions. Forum, capitol, baths and kiln quarter with Tabula Banasitana bronze (212 CE citizenship grant).
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Why it mattersSignificant regional centre illustrating cultural transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology refinement
- 02Function of enclosures
Theories
- 01Trade corridor 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
- Mauretanian town; colonia Iulia Valentia 33–27 BCE under Augustus
- Period
- Mauretanian / Roman
- Culture
- Mauretanian / Roman
- Purpose
- Regional centre / fortified town and trade node
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
Mauretanian town; colonia Iulia Valentia 33–27 BCE under Augustus
Initial construction
c. 1195 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
34.6017° N · 6.1156° W · 20 m · 2 mapped features
Forum and Capitolium
forumRaised forum 50×30 m triple cella
34.6020° N · 6.1152° WGreat Western Thermae
bathBaths 45×25 m with mosaic frigidarium
34.6013° N · 6.1160° W