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In Pictures: Libya’s Roman ruins

French archaeological studies of Leptis Magna may further unearth the historic site for the good of future generations.

The empty Cardo, one of the main streets of Leptis Magna. The locals have organised themselves to protect the site in the face of growing tourism and vandalism.
By Cecile Degremont
Published On 21 Jun 2013

Khoms, Libya – Once the third most important city of the Roman empire, Leptis Magna stands today as one of the world’s best preserved archaeological sites.

It is also a surprisingly well-kept secret – while it rivals the likes of Carthage and Palmyra in terms of size and scope, it remains largely unknown to the general public.

However, this could change as post-Gaddafi Libya opens up to the outside world. Since the fall of the former leader, the country’s archaeological community has indicated a willingness to break with its post-colonial heritage, and work with foreign researchers.

During the summer of 2012, in the wake of the Libyan revolution, the French archaeological mission for Libya, led by Vincent Michel, returned to the site. As one of the most important archeological studies taking place in Leptis Magna, Michel’s mission focuses on excavating the Roman baths. Once the study is completed, Leptis Magna will become a reference for the late Antique period of Libya.

However, a lack of conservation measures has led archaeologists to worry about the impact of tourism and vandalism.

Even more so, the archaeologists’ mission itself is suddenly looking fragile. The country’s ongoing turmoil and a recent attack on the French embassy are threatening to put a premature end to their research.

Leptis(***) well preserved theatre is the oldest half-Greek, half-Roman theatre in Roman Africa. The date of construction estimates around the first century CE.
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The Septimius Severus basilica is one of the biggest in all the Roman world. Septimius Severus ruled the Roman Empire from 193-211 CE. During his reign, he oversaw wide-ranging public works for Leptis.
The Septimius Severus forum.
Overlooking the 1994 excavated baths by the French archaeological mission for Libya.
Archaeologist Guillaume Dagnas and architect Michel Paulin in front of the baths main entry. Their priority is to understand the baths(***) integration with the rest of the city.
This old oven found in the baths dates to around the second half of the 3rd century CE. What was once a bath house, turned into a bakery.
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Michel Bonifay, ceramist specialist, teaches Libyan archaeologists how to draw samples. Since the 2011 revolution, France and Libya have encouraged scientific cooperation between the two nations. 
Preserving and restoring structures is another key priority for the archaeologists.
Today, the museum is almost empty. When the revolution started, local staff hid the artifacts. 
Towering at 20 metres, this arch in Septimius Severus basilica remained in place since antiquity, but the structure is weak and fragile.