Caesarea Iol — Harbour North Breakwater (Cherchell)
Iol Breakwater N
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Bronze–Iron Age maritime·🇩🇿 Tipaza, Cherchell, Caesarea Iol, Algeria
About
About Caesarea Iol — Harbour North Breakwater (Cherchell)
Caesarea Iol — Harbour North Breakwater (Cherchell) in Tipaza, Cherchell, Caesarea Iol, Algeria is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) submerged city attributed to Bronze–Iron Age maritime. Systematic survey and magnetometry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal enclosure and domestic quarter. Dimensions grid 210 m × 180 m; mole 85 m long × 7 m wide; area unmeasured ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition submerged 3–6 m. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze–Iron Age maritime submerged-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at -6 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ritual landscape model
- 02Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Bronze–Iron Age maritime
- Purpose
- Submerged harbour and urban insulae under sea
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1050 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1888
Modern rediscovery and excavation
c. 1589 CE
Abandonment / submergence
On the ground
Structures & features
36.6100° N · 2.1900° E · -6 m · 3 mapped features
North Quay Mole
moleNorth Quay Mole at Caesarea Iol — Harbour North Breakwater (Cherchell) — mole with stratified deposits
36.6109° N · 2.1921° EStreet Grid Insula
insulaStreet Grid Insula at Caesarea Iol — Harbour North Breakwater (Cherchell) — insula with stratified deposits
36.6095° N · 2.1902° EHarbour Basin
basinHarbour Basin at Caesarea Iol — Harbour North Breakwater (Cherchell) — basin with stratified deposits
36.6089° N · 2.1904° E