Erythron (Latrun)
Al Athrun · Lathrun · Erythrum
Greek to Byzantine (6th c. BCE–7th c. CE)·Greek / Roman (Cyrenaica)·🇱🇾 Cyrenaica, Jabal al Akhdar, Derna District, Al Athrun, Libya
About
About Erythron (Latrun)
Small Greek-Roman port Erythron at Al Athrun, red-soil harbour (erythros = red) with 1st-c. bath complex converted to pottery kiln dump producing Mid Roman 1 amphorae, cisterns and church with mosaic. Part of Apollonia's chora, 40 km east of Cyrene.
Why it mattersFirst identified Mid Roman 1 amphora kiln in Cyrenaica, correcting Sicilian provenance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Amphora distribution vs Agrarian output
- 02Church's fishing community role
Theories
- 01Latrun supplied Cyrene wine/oil (Reynolds)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Greek harbour 6th c. BCE; Roman baths 1st c. CE
- Period
- Greek to Byzantine (6th c. BCE–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Greek / Roman (Cyrenaica)
- Purpose
- Agricultural harbour and amphora kiln centre for Cyrene chora
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
6th c. BCE
Greek harbour founded
1st c. CE
Bath complex built
3rd c. CE
Baths converted to potter's dump (Mid Roman 1)
6th c. CE
Basilica built over baths
On the ground
Structures & features
32.8670° N · 22.2670° E · 25 m · 2 mapped features
Bath-Kiln Complex of Erythron
industrialBaths 30×20 m with kiln wasters of Mid Roman 1 amphorae in tepidarium
32.8680° N · 22.2680° EBasilica of Erythron
basilica6th-c. church with mosaic over baths
32.8660° N · 22.2660° E