Hadrianopolis (Driana) North Extramural Dunes
Hadrianopolis · Driana · Hadrianopolis North · Wadi Driana North
Roman to Byzantine (2nd–7th c. CE)·Roman (Cyrenaica)·🇱🇾 Marj District, Cyrenaica, Driana (Hadrianopolis) north dunes, 1 km N of town, Libya
About
About Hadrianopolis (Driana) North Extramural Dunes
North dune suburb of Hadrianic foundation (Hadrian, 124 CE) on Cyrenaican littoral, this sector shows insula grid continuation north of walls (10 insulae, cardo 6 m wide), fish-salting vats (16, opus signinum), submerged mole stub (40 m), and late Roman fortlet over forum. Imports: Eastern Sigillata B. Drowned harbour mole 1.5 m.
Why it mattersHadrianic planned suburb with fish industry and littoral subsidence record.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mole subsidence rate
- 02Fish species from vat residue
Theories
- 01Wilson fish economy
- 02Fossil beach datum
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Hadrianic foundation 124 CE; suburb 2nd–6th c. CE
- Period
- Roman to Byzantine (2nd–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Roman (Cyrenaica)
- Builders
- Roman (Hadrian)
- Purpose
- Fish-processing suburb of Cyrenaican coastal node
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
124 CE
Hadrian colonia
2nd–3rd c. CE
Insulae and fish vats
5th c. CE
Submerged harbour fortlet
On the ground
Structures & features
32.4550° N · 20.2850° E · 10 m · 2 mapped features
Fish-Salting Vat Battery
factory16 opus signinum vats 2×2 m in row with decant channel
32.4560° N · 20.2860° ESubmerged Mole Stub
mole40 m rubble mole of Driana harbour now 1.5 m under
32.4550° N · 20.2840° E