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The Roman theatre had multiple functions; it was used as a recreational, educational, religious and civilizational building. It formed the Roman mind and conscience and was used as a form of political propaganda for the emperors and the elites throughout the empire. Roman theatres were built in all areas of the Empire. Rome’s power and wealth gave them the ability to influence local architecture, such as all theatres throughout North Africa, with uniquely Roman attributes. This paper discusses the most important Roman innovations in theatre architecture in the Tripolitania region through a comparative study between the Leptis Magna and Sabratah Theatres.

Crossing literary evidence with archaeological data, we discuss the history of a site known as 'Marsa Djazira' by following the evolution of its toponym. During the Phoenician-Punic era, this site was described as a city/urban establishment with a harbour known as 'Gaphara'. In late Roman times its name was most likely changed to 'Minna Villa Marsi', as the Marsi family of the aristocracy of Leptis Magna probably built a luxury residence (villa) and exploited the port to export olive products from its estates in the hinterland of Leptis Magna. In the Middle Ages, the site underwent another toponymic change to 'Ras Cha c ra' and became an official maritime station (port) on the shipping lanes. In the late Middle Ages, the ancient toponym 'Gaphara' reappeared again with a slight distortion as 'Gasr Jafara/Djefara'. This last name was known when the site was already ruined and abandoned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that emissions from combustion of heavy fuels, light fuels and natural gas cause negative impacts on surrounding environment, including the erosion of antique buildings. This study investigates the effect of emissions from the Khoms Steam and Gas power station on the neighboring ancient city of Leptis Magna, using an air dispersion software (DISPER) to calculate the concentrations of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides in archaeological city under the influence of climate variables. The objective of this study is to calculate marble erosion rates caused by the chemical reactions on the surface of selected Marble structures. The study reveals high concentrations of the targeted pollutions on the surface's columns & status of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional identification of Liber Pater as the titular divinity worshipped at the major sanctuary on the north-west side of the old forum of Lepcis Magna is nowadays deeply contested. Some scholars now identify that temple as a Capitolium. Nevertheless, most studies have been based on incomplete documentation relating to the sanctuary. Our study attempts to record and examine all the material, with a specific insistence on religious dedications. The texts are here revised and briefly discussed, allowing us to draw out different epigraphic and iconographic indications, which prevent us, as yet, from giving up the conventional thesis of a dedication of the sanctuary to the worship of Liber Pater.

This third preliminary report on the excavations conducted in the Eastern bath by the French archaeological mission in Libya from 1994 to 2012 is dedicated to the material, in glass and in selenite stone. This documentation, considering most of the unearthed material, supplies a rare opportunity to study Roman glasses found in Tripolitania out of funeral context.They consist of tableware, lamps, game and jewelry objects and window glasses, that show the coexistence of glass and stone windows in the same building. The 3rd century glassware survey reveals rare and new forms used in the bath building. The late Antiquity material, accumulated after the building abandon, allows to note the part of Egyptian imports and that of Africa Proconsularis productions.

Copyright of Acta Archaeologica Lodziensia is the property of Lodz Scientific Society / Lodzkie Towarzystwo Naukowe and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archeologia Postmedievale is the property of Edizioni all'Insegna del Giglio and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Hadrianic Baths is one of the most important archaeological sites in Leptis Magna- Libya. It was built at the command of Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century CE; they represent some of the most lavish structures of Leptis Magna. It is unique in design and building technique. It was built of limestone, marble and brick. This paper mainly describes the deterioration of marble. The marble in the monuments can be classified into several types, based on its color, texture, chemical composition and the constituent mineral. The Hadrianic Baths is subjected to severe degradation, due to the climate, which is typically marine. This site suffered from different weathering forms, for example, disintegration of grains, pitting, chipping, frequent flaking, multiple-flaking, fissures and biodeterioration. These weathering forms were produced by many deterioration factors, such as moisture, salt weathering, biological and micro-biological factors, changes in temperature and wind erosion. The aim of this study is to characterize the building materials at the Hadrianic Baths, especially marble, and to evaluate the role of groundwater and sea weathering on the strength of the marble exposed to the coastline of the Mediterranean. Many samples were collected from limestone, marble, mortar, plaster and salts, for analysis and investigation. Several scientific techniques were used in the study of the morphology and texture. Those methods include microscopy, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized light microscopy (PLM) and stereo microscopy. A qualitative identification of organic and inorganic chemical species was performed by using techniques such as energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microbial investigation were also done. Our results indicated that the deterioration of marble was caused by the aggressive action of environmental agents. SEM observations indicated the occurrence of microcracks and particle aggregates in the samples. The study was also aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the various commercial silane-based and acrylic products in laboratory in order to recommend the protective treatment for the conservative treatment of the marble. To fulfill this goal a soaking characterization and accelerated ageing tests were performed. After artificial aging [included cycles of heating & cooling, salt weathering] proved that the [Rhdrosil or Tegvacon V] is the best material to consolidate the weakness of marble.

The present study is part of the preliminary investigation to design a coastal protection for the archaeological sites of Sabratha and Leptis Magna and the hydraulic re-arrangement of the final stretch of the Wadi Lebda which runs across the archaeological area of Leptis Magna. This study is a part of the project "Safeguarding the Sabratha and Leptis Magna archaeological sites. Preventing flooding of Leptis Magna from the Wadi Lebda", started in 2009 and commissioned by MARCO POLO STORICA LTD - Scotland. The planning of interventions has required an accurate morphological reconstruction of the interested areas. In this regard, given the wide investigation area, the aerial and land survey operations logistic difficulties and tight timeframe, the use of multi-beam technology and satellite images was particularly useful. The Digital Terrain Model has been coupled with detailed bathymetric surveys of the coastal area, undertaken mostly by multi-beam techniques, and by investigations of the ground characteristics, which were integrated in the information system prepared as design support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb weathering is a common surface phenomenon affecting a variety of rocks in a range of environments. The processes involve the appearance of closely spaced cavities which are generally small, with an average width of a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Honeycomb weathering is also known as fretting, cavernous weathering, alveoli/alveolar weathering, stone lattice, stone lace or miniature tafoni weathering. Incipient honeycomb weathering in a homogeneous limestone has been experimentally reproduced by wind exposure and salt crystallization. It is a type of salt weathering common on coastal and semi-arid limestone. Honeycomb weathering occurs in many populated region and must have been noted in archaeological sites at Leptis Magna (Libya). Leptis Magna is a World Heritage site on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa in the Tripolitania region of Libya. In order to create an appropriated conservation concept, it was necessary to investigate the damage processes. For this purpose we used X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with EDX, Stereo microscope, polarizing microscopes (PM). Biodeterioration problems in the site were analyzed by taking into account their impact on the substrate and their relationship with environmental factors. Chemical analysis and field observations indicated that honeycomb weathering in coastal exposures of limestone in the archaeological sites of Leptis Magna resulted from the evaporation of salt water deposited by waves from the Mediterranean Sea. Microscopic examination of weathered samples showed that erosion resuled from the disaggregation of mineral grains, rather than from chemical decomposition. Thin walls separating adjacent cavities seem to be the result of the protective effects of organic coatings produced by microscopic algae inhabiting the rock surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hadrianic Baths is one of the most important archaeological sites in Leptis Magna-Libya. It was built at the command of Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century CE; they represent some of the most lavish structures of Leptis Magna. It is unique in design and building technique. It was built of limestone, marble and brick. This paper mainly describes the deterioration of marble. The marble in the monuments can be classified into several types, based on its color, texture, chemical composition and the constituent mineral. The Hadrianic Baths is subjected to severe degradation, due to the climate, which is typically marine. This site suffered from different weathering forms, for example, disintegration of grains, pitting, chipping, frequent flaking, multiple-flaking, fissures and biodeterioration. These weathering forms were produced by many deterioration factors, such as moisture, salt weathering, biological and micro-biological factors, changes in temperature and wind erosion. The aim of this study is to characterize the building materials at the Hadrianic Baths, especially marble, and to evaluate the role of groundwater and sea weathering on the strength of the marble exposed to the coastline of the Mediterranean. Many samples were collected from limestone, marble, mortar, plaster and salts, for analysis and investigation. Several scientific techniques were used in the study of the morphology and texture. Those methods include microscopy, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized light microscopy (PLM) and stereo microscopy. A qualitative identification of organic and inorganic chemical species was performed by using techniques such as energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microbial investigation were also done. Our results indicated that the deterioration of marble was caused by the aggressive action of environmental agents. SEM observations indicated the occurrence of microcracks and particle aggregates in the samples. The study was also aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the various commercial silane-based and acrylic products in laboratory in order to recommend the protective treatment for the conservative treatment of the marble. To fulfill this goal a soaking characterization and accelerated ageing tests were performed. After artificial aging [included cycles of heating & cooling, salt weathering] proved that the [Rhdrosil or Tegvacon V] is the best material to consolidate the weakness of marble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeycomb weathering is a common surface phenomenon affecting a variety of rocks in a range of environments. The processes involve the progressive of closely spaced cavities which are generally small with an average width few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Honeycomb weathering, also known as fretting, cavernous weathering, alveoli/alveolar weathering, stone lattice, stone lace or miniature tafoni weathering. Incipient honeycomb weathering in a homogeneous limestone has been experimentally reproduced by wind exposure and salt crystallization. It is a type of salt weathering common on coastal and semi-arid limestone. Honeycomb weathering occurs in many populated region and must have been noted in archaeological sites at Leptis Magna (Libya). Leptis Magna is a World Heritage site on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa in the Tripolitania region of Libya. In order to create an appropriated conservation concept, it was necessary to investigate the damage processes. For this purpose, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) attached with EDX, Stereo microscope, polarizing microscopes (PM) were used. Biodeterioration problems in the site were analyzed taking into account their impact on the substrate and their relationship with environmental factors. Chemical analysis and field observations indicated that honeycomb weathering in coastal exposures of limestone at archaeological sites of the Leptis Magna results from evaporation of salt water deposited by wave splash from Mediterranean Sea. Microscopic examination of weathered samples show that erosion results from disaggregation of minerals grains rather than from chemical decomposition. Thin walls separating adjacent cavities seem to be due to protective effects of organic coatings produced by microscopic algae inhabiting the rock surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present the results of the first archeometric study of some Roman millstones and mortars made of volcanic rocks found at the Libyan archeological sites of Leptis Magna and Cyrene. Two millstones from the first site dating from the III century AD and one from the second, also dating from the II–III centuries AD, were found to made from leucite–phonolite lavas from the quarrying area near Orvieto, in the Vulsini Volcanic District (Roman Volcanic Province). These findings provide further confirmation of the central role played by Orvieto in the Roman production and export of millstones. Mugearite lavas from Etna, transitional basalt from the island of Pantelleria, alkaline basalt, probably from Al Haruj-Al Aswad (Central Libya), and high-K calc-alkaline andesite of uncertain geological origin were the other rocks used for the millstones investigated in this study. This evidence clearly indicates a trade in millstones between Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Central-South Italy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]