Cotta Garum Factory
Kotla · Cap Spartel Garum
Roman (1st–5th c. CE; peak 2nd–4th c. CE)·Roman (Mauretanian)·🇲🇦 Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Morocco
About
About Cotta Garum Factory
Cotta (Cap Spartel) is Mauretania Tingitana's largest Roman garum factory, 1st–5th c. CE, 8 km west of Tangier on Atlantic. 16 cetariae vats 3×2 m in two batteries, with decantation tanks, salting floors and oil press. Amphorae production kiln nearby (Dressel 14). Residential vicus and temple. Shows industrial fish-sauce economy feeding Volubilis and Tingis. Excavated Ponsich 1960s, re-evaluated 2020.
Why it mattersType-site for Atlantic garum economy; Dressel 14 production documented.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Fish species processed (mackerel vs tuna)
- 02Kiln–vat synchronization
Theories
- 01Military supply to Tingis garrison (Ponsich)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Augusto-Tiberian factory c. 20 CE; expansion 2nd c.
- Period
- Roman (1st–5th c. CE; peak 2nd–4th c. CE)
- Culture
- Roman (Mauretanian)
- Builders
- Roman fish-sauce negotiatores
- Purpose
- Garum (fish sauce) industrial production and export
- Excavation
- Excavated
20 CE
Factory founded
150–250 CE
Peak production (16 vats)
420 CE
Abandonment
1964
Ponsich excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
35.8050° N · 5.8830° W · 25 m · 2 mapped features
Cetariae Battery A
vat8 vats 3×2 m western battery
35.8055° N · 5.8835° WResidential Vicus
vicusHouses and temple south of factory
35.8045° N · 5.8825° W
Gallery