Siga Outer Harbour (Takembrit Offshore)
Siga · Takembrit · Outer Harbour · Siga Regia Harbour
Numidian to Late Antique (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE)·Numidian (Masaesyli) / Roman (Mauretania)·🇩🇿 Aïn Témouchent Province, Siga (Takembrit) bay, Oued Tafna mouth, offshore breakwater, Algeria
About
About Siga Outer Harbour (Takembrit Offshore)
Westernmost Numidian capital harbour (Syphax), Siga's inner tell (fortified islet) connects via causeway to offshore breakwater (200 m rubble mole, now submerged 1 m) with quarry cut at Cap de l'Aiguille. Port stored Syphax's treasure before Massinissa capture (203 BCE). Wares: Numidian purple shells huge middens (20 tonnes). Slipway and warehouses ascatter.
Why it mattersNumidian royal purple harbour archaeology bridging Phoenician–Roman transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mole dating — Numidian vs Roman
- 02Treasure-hold location
Theories
- 01Syphax state model
- 02Wilson purple economy
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 capital 3rd c. BCE (Syphax); Roman port 46 BCE–7th c. CE
- Period
- Numidian to Late Antique (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Numidian (Masaesyli) / Roman (Mauretania)
- Builders
- Numidian (Syphax)
- Purpose
- Royal Numidian harbour and purple industry terminus on Tafna
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.220 BCE
Syphax capital Siga
203 BCE
Massinissa capture, treasure to Cirta
46 BCE
Roman port under Bocchus
2nd c. CE
Breakwater extension and warehouses
On the ground
Structures & features
35.2550° N · 1.4580° E · 0 m · 2 mapped features
Submerged Rubble Breakwater
breakwater200×15 m rubble mole arrow, now 1 m under, quarry marks at Cap
35.2550° N · 1.4570° EPurple Murex Midden
midden20-tonne shell heap 80×40 m and vat row 30 m
35.2540° N · 1.4590° E
Gallery