Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama
Garamantian to Early Islamic (500 BCE–1500 CE layered)·Garamantian → Arab Jarma·🇱🇾 Fezzan, Germa new town, Old Jarma hill above Germa, Libya
About
About Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama
Jarma excavated by Daniels, Islamic layered above Garamantian capital mound. Recorded context — Period: Garamantian to Early Islamic (500 BCE–1500 CE layered); Culture: Garamantian → Arab Jarma; Field status: excavated; Materials: mudbrick, stone castle; Condition: ruins.
Why it mattersKey Garamantian → Arab Jarma fortified-city with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Trade network extent
Theories
- 01Elite residence
- 02Observatory
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. 500 BCE Garama citadel; Islamic rebuilding 800 CE
- Period
- Garamantian to Early Islamic (500 BCE–1500 CE layered)
- Culture
- Garamantian → Arab Jarma
- Purpose
- Multi-period tell-citadel (10 m stratigraphy) — Garama to Islamic Jarma layered mound with 1500 yrs occupation
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1941
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 200 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama
2005 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama
On the ground
Structures & features
26.5380° N · 13.0700° E · 510 m · 4 mapped features
- Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — Principal Structurestructurestructure at Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — outlier feature26.5365° N · 13.0701° E
- Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — Complex Annex 2complexcomplex at Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — primary structure26.5373° N · 13.0692° E
- Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — Southern Rock Artrock artrock art at Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — hydraulic feature26.5375° N · 13.0714° E
- Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — Structure Annex 4structurestructure at Old Jarma — Medieval Citadel over Garama — primary structure26.5390° N · 13.0692° E