Archaeologists from the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice have uncovered what is believed to be the second-largest Roman olive oil mill in the entire Roman Empire. This significant discovery is part of an ongoing excavation in the Kasserine region of Tunisia, specifically in the vicinity of ancient Roman Cillium, near the border with modern-day Algeria.
The excavation efforts, led by Prof. Luigi Sperti, who serves as the deputy director of the Department of Humanities and director of the Venice Archaeology Study Center (CESAV), focus on two ancient olive farms located in the Jebel Semmama massif. This area, characterized by its high steppes and continental climate, provided optimal conditions for olive cultivation—an essential resource for the economy of Roman Africa. Tunisia was a primary supplier of olive oil to Rome, underscoring the significance of this region during the Roman period.
Significant Archaeological Findings
Among the principal sites being examined is Henchir el Begar, identified as the ancient Saltus Beguensis. This site was once the center of a large rural estate owned by the notable Roman figure, Lucillius Africanus, during the 2nd century AD. The site is particularly famous for a Latin inscription dating back to 138 AD, which details a senate consultation authorizing a bimonthly market—an event of considerable importance in the social and political life of that era.
The settlement spans approximately 33 hectares and is divided into two main sectors, Hr Begar 1 and Hr Begar 2. Hr Begar 1 houses the largest Roman oil mill in Tunisia and the second largest in the Roman Empire, featuring a monumental torcularium equipped with twelve beam presses. Hr Begar 2 contains a second facility with eight similar presses, both operational between the 3rd and 6th centuries AD. This extensive period of production highlights the site’s importance in the agricultural landscape of the time.
Recent geophysical surveys using ground-penetrating radar have revealed a complex network of residential structures and roads, suggesting a well-organized rural community. The presence of stone millstones and other agricultural artifacts indicates a mixed production of cereals and oil, pointing to the dual agricultural purpose of the site.
Collaboration and Future Research
This archaeological mission is the result of an international collaboration initiated in 2023, led by Prof. Samira Sehili from Université La Manouba in Tunisia and Prof. Fabiola Salcedo Garcés from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. Since 2025, Prof. Sperti has co-directed the project with institutional recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. This partnership aims to enhance scientific collaboration and foster new research opportunities among Tunisia, Spain, and Italy, particularly in the field of production archaeology.
Significant artifacts from different historical periods, including the modern age and Byzantine era, have been uncovered. Notable finds include a decorated copper and brass bracelet, a white limestone projectile, and architectural elements such as portions of a Roman press repurposed in a Byzantine wall.
“This mission offers an unprecedented insight into the agricultural and socio-economic organization of the frontier regions of Roman Africa,” said Prof. Sperti. He emphasized that olive oil was a crucial product in the daily lives of ancient Romans, used not only in cooking but also for body care, sports, medicine, and even as fuel for lighting. The research sheds light on the production, marketing, and transport of this vital resource, presenting a unique opportunity to merge academic research with economic development. Prof. Sperti concluded by reaffirming the significance of archaeology as a field of excellence at Ca’ Foscari University.
