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
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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
Gallery