Gadiaufala
Ksar Sbahi · Ksar Sbehi · Gazophyla
Numidian to Byzantine (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE)·Numidian / Roman·🇩🇿 Oum el Bouaghi Province, Ksar Sbahi, Algeria
About
About Gadiaufala
Hilltop municipium Gadiaufala at Ksar Sbahi, Numidian stronghold turned Roman hillfort with cyclopean walls 3 m thick, 1st-c. triumphal arch for Augustus and 4th-c. Donatist basilica with cathedra. Overlooks El Hocine plain grain belt.
Why it mattersRare Numidian cyclopean walls reused by Romans.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Polygonal wall date (Numidian vs earlier)
- 02Basilica's Donatist affiliation
Theories
- 01Kirkby Thore inscription officer served at Gadiaufala (Jarrett)
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 hillfort 3rd c. BCE; colonia under Augustus
- Period
- Numidian to Byzantine (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Numidian / Roman
- Purpose
- Grain toll fort on Carthage–Cirta road
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
3rd c. BCE
Numidian cyclopean fortress
27 BCE
Augustan arch erected
c. 150 CE
Municipium charter
411 CE
Donatist bishop at Carthage conference
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0823° N · 7.2579° E · 890 m · 2 mapped features
Cyclopean Walls of Gadiaufala
fortificationPolygonal walls 3 m thick, 600 m circuit
36.0830° N · 7.2585° EAugustan Arch of Gadiaufala
archSingle-bay arch 7 m span with Augustus dedication
36.0815° N · 7.2570° E