Archaeology breakthrough as scientists make Africa discovery dating to Roman times

africa Nestled along Libya’s northeastern coast, archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable find dating back to the Roman times.
The discovery in the ancient Greek city of Ptolemais includes a host of fascinating finds.
Eerie human-face masks, a sophisticated water collection system and an impressive residence believed to have belonged to a high-ranking individual are among the discoveries.
Ptolemais was an integral centre of Hellenistic culture and urban development, and was also a major cultural and religious centre in Cyrenaica.
Prior to the region’s decline in the 7th century A.D, caused by the Arab conquest, Ptolemais was founded by the Ptolemaic dynasty in the 3rd century B.C.
READ MORE: Archaeology breakthrough as experts find 2,000-year-old ‘service station’ africa The region is well-known for its preserved urban structures and historical complexity which has attracted the attention of countless researchers.
Due to the Libyan civil war, the area underwent a 13-year hiatus with archaeologists from the University of Warsaw returning to the site in 2023.
A major archaeological discovery took place in June 2024 when excavations revealed a part of an ancient residential complex.
This complex was found to be dated back all the way to the late 2nd or early 3rd century A.D.
This was after researchers focused on the region’s urban structures.
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They found this ancient complex which featured a small courtyard surrounded by a staircase, kitchen and a room adorned with a mosaic floor, according to the head of the Polish Archaeological Mission to Ptolemais, Doctor Piotr Jaworski.
Other discoveries included an advanced rainwater collection system found in the centre.
This intricate system included a courtyard pool which gathered all the rainwater and then directed it into two large underground cisterns.
Earthquakes in the 3rd century caused slight damage to the house which was then rebuilt during the late Roman period.
The three stone containers located near the entrance further concluded researchers’ findings that this building held major significance as it was likely used for collecting taxes or other important offerings.
The human-like masks remained the most intriguing of all the finds which were carved in hydraulic mortar.
These masks’ usage remains unclear with Jaworski hinting the owner of the house may have been of Libyan origin, although this remains speculative.
In ancient times, Ptolemais served as a vital link between the ancient Greek world and the rich resources of North Africa.
The city’s design featured a grid layout, public space and a marketplace known as agora.
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