Belalis Maior
Henchir el-Faouar · Belalis Major
Numidian to Byzantine (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE; peak 2nd–5th c. CE)·Numidian / Roman / Byzantine·🇹🇳 Béja Governorate, Tunisia
About
About Belalis Maior
Belalis Maior (Henchir el-Faouar) dominates a platform 8 km northeast of Béja, a fertile Tell city excavated by Mahjoubi since 1960. Revealed: monumental capitol (peripteral), Byzantine citadel 6th c. with bastions, large baths, opus sectile church, and unique late-Roman cemeteries with mensae. Elite houses with geometric mosaics (Bardo display). Ceramic evidence shows continuity from Numidian hilltop to Arab conquest. Water cisterns and aqueduct illustrate Tell hydrology management.
Why it mattersType-site for Tell Romanization and Byzantine citadel urbanism; Mahjoubi's stratigraphy documents 885-year continuity.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Numidian–Roman transition ceramic continuity
- 02Function of large mensae cemetery
Theories
- 01Municipal promotion under Vespasian (Mahjoubi)
- 02Citadel as Justinianic limes anchor
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 settlement 3rd c. BCE; Roman municipium Flavian; Byzantine refortification 540s CE
- Period
- Numidian to Byzantine (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE; peak 2nd–5th c. CE)
- Culture
- Numidian / Roman / Byzantine
- Builders
- Numidian civitas / Roman municipium (Belalitani Maiores)
- Purpose
- Tell grain and olive market town controlling Béja valley
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
3rd c. BCE
Numidian hill town
c. 75 CE
Flavian municipium
540s CE
Byzantine citadel built (Justinian)
1960
Mahjoubi excavations begin
On the ground
Structures & features
36.7650° N · 9.2480° E · 210 m · 2 mapped features
Capitol of Belalis Maior
temple28×15 m podium temple on platform
36.7656° N · 9.2485° EByzantine Citadel
fortress80×60 m bastioned citadel with cisterns
36.7643° N · 9.2472° E