Medjedel
History
Roman fortress (no longer extant)
Within the Limes of western Numidia, the site of Medjdel (or Medjedel) reveals a military structure of significant importance that testifies to its major strategic role in the region, is described in the late 1930s. Archaeological excavations have provided precise details of this Roman fortress. Square in shape, it had dimensions estimated at between 22 and 25 metres on each side, with projecting bastions arranged in a fan-shape at each corner, a typical feature of Roman defensive works of the Late Period. Today no remains of this monument seem to remain.
Situated near the defile leading into the depression of the zahrez, to the south of the eastern horn of the Zahrez Chergui, the fortress occupied a dominant strategic position, effectively controlling the routes through the region. The discovery of a Roman road running south-west from the fort confirms its importance in the Roman military communications network, enabling movements in this border area to be controlled and monitored.
The question of the later occupation of Medjdel by Roman forces remains a subject of debate among scholars Artefacts discovered during excavations, such as terracotta sling balls, suggest the probable presence of a garrison inside the fortress. However, the precise identification of this military unit as well as its exact composition remain question marks requiring in-depth analysis.
References
- ^ Statoids
- ^ L. Leschi, Bulletin du Comité des Travaux historiques 1938-1940, p. 162-165
- ^ Petrikovits, H. von. "Fortifications in the North-Western Roman Empire from the Third to the Fifth Centuries A.D." Journal of Roman Studies 61 (1971): 178 - 218.
- ^ P. Salama. Quelques incursions dans la zone occidentale du limes de Numidie. In: Antiquités africaines, 27,1991. pp. 96. https://doi.org/10.3406/antaf.1991.1190.
- ^ Ibid. Salama writes: "In May 1980, in the village of Medjdel, neither the Mairie, nor the Gendarmerie, nor the fellahs seemed to know of the existence of an ancient monument in the region."
- ^ S. Gsell, Atlas archéologique de l'Algérie : édition spéciale des cartes au 200.000e du Service Géographique de l'Armée / avec un texte explicatif rédigé par Stéphane Gsell - Texte, Jouran/Alger, 1911, sheet 35, between numbers 107 and 108
- ^ Picard, Gilbert Charles. Castellum Dimmidi. E. de Boccard, 1944. p. 61-62.
- ^ Salama, cit. op., p.95.
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35°09′N 3°41′E / 35.150°N 3.683°E
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