New fieldwork at the Severan fort ofMyd(…)/Gheriat el-Garbia on thelimes Tripolitanus

Abstract

AbstractThe most outstanding oasis fort of thelimes Tripolitanus, Myd(---)/Gheriat el-Garbia, saw the deployment of various military units between AD 198/201 and 275/80. Archaeological research in 2009/10 focussed on the fortifications, particularly the main and rear gates, the northern angle tower and interval towers 2 and 4 as well as the curtain wall at its south corner. The towers of theporta praetoriahave been reconstructed theoretically with three storeys, at an overall height ofc.12.5 m. Of the headquarters building two of the rear rooms, including the shrine, were excavated. A monumental inscription of a length ofc.9.0 m and corresponding architectural elements suggest the existence of agromabuilding. Completely unexpected by archaeologists as well as ancient historians and rather spectacular is a late Roman reoccupation of the military site: after a hiatus ofc.80+ years building activities were undertaken within the fort and repairs and the blocking of the main gate could be observed and probably attributed to the deployment of a unit oflimitaneibetween AD 360/80 (at the earliest) and 430/55. The reoccupied fort might be identified with the so far unknowncastra Madensia, where themilites munificeswere garrisoned (Notitia Dignitatum Occ.31, 30). Further evidence of occupation, possibly of a Libyan chieftain and his tribe, has been assigned to the second half of the fifth century, continuing thereafter until AD 540+.