Zitha (Ziana)
Zitha · Ziza · Pons Zita · Ziane
Punic to Byzantine (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE)·Punic / Roman (Tripolitana)·🇹🇳 Medenine Governorate, Zarzis hinterland, Henchir Ziane, 8 km W of Zarzis, Tunisia
About
About Zitha (Ziana)
Pons Zita waystation on coastal road to Gigthis and Tripoli, Zitha is a causeway station (pons) over sebkha with mansio, baths (hypocaust), small amphitheatre embankment, and Punic tophet stelae reused in Byzantine tower. Milestones CIL VIII 22195. Supply station for purple and salt (Sebkha Bou Djemel). Fortlet with ditch encloses 3 ha.
Why it mattersCauseway-over-sebkha engineering and Tripolitana coastal logistics micro-site.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Pons vs causeway distinction
- 02Fortlet garrison size
Theories
- 01Troisi coastal road model
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 waystation; pons under Augustus; fortlet 3rd c. CE
- Period
- Punic to Byzantine (3rd c. BCE–7th c. CE)
- Culture
- Punic / Roman (Tripolitana)
- Builders
- Punic / Roman
- Purpose
- Causeway mansio and salt-route station on coastal Tripolitana road
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
3rd c. BCE
Punic tophet
c.10 CE
Augustan pons Zita
3rd c. CE
Fortlet and baths
6th c. CE
Byzantine tower refuge
On the ground
Structures & features
33.5037° N · 11.0215° E · 28 m · 2 mapped features
Pons Zita Causeway
causeway600 m agger over sabkha with culverts and milestone base
33.5045° N · 11.0225° EBaths and Mansio
bathsHypocaust baths 15×12 m and courtyard mansio stables
33.5030° N · 11.0210° E
Gallery