Sullecthum (Salakta)
Salakta · Salacta · Sullecthum
Punic to Late Antique (5th c. BCE–7th c. CE; peak 2nd–4th c. CE)·Punic / Roman (Byzacena)·🇹🇳 Mahdia Governorate, Ksour Essef Delegation, Tunisia
About
About Sullecthum (Salakta)
Punic emporium and Roman colonia on the peninsular ras of Salakta, Byzacena's African catacombs port. Monumental harbour cothon now silted, 2nd-c. CE capitol terrace, vast Christian catacombs (Barbel), amphitheatre traces and lion mosaic workshops. Olive oil and garum exported. Excavated by Carton and Beschaouch; mosaics in Bardo and Salakta Museum.
Why it mattersKey Byzacena catacomb port linking Africa oil economy to Mediterranean.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Extent of Punic stratum beneath forum
- 02Harbour mole chronology
Theories
- 01Oil boom funded lion mosaic school (Beschaouch)
- 02Tsunami 365 CE silted cothon
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Punic emporium 5th c. BCE; Roman colonia under Caesar/Augustus
- Period
- Punic to Late Antique (5th c. BCE–7th c. CE; peak 2nd–4th c. CE)
- Culture
- Punic / Roman (Byzacena)
- Purpose
- Harbour for oil/garum export and Byzacena market town
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
5th c. BCE
Punic emporium founded
46 BCE
Caesarian colonia
2nd c. CE
Capitol and port expansion
4th c. CE
Christian catacombs cut (Barbel)
On the ground
Structures & features
35.3923° N · 11.0488° E · 8 m · 2 mapped features
Sullecthum Harbour Cothon
harbourSilted rectangular basin 100×80 m with quay walls
35.3935° N · 11.0500° ECatacombs of Barbel
catacombChristian hypogea with loculi and arcosolia, 2 km
35.3910° N · 11.0470° E