On the coast of the Cyrenaica region in present-day Libya lies the ancient city of Ptolemais, founded by the Egyptian pharaohs of the Ptolemaic dynasty in the 4th or 3rd century BCE. This city thrived as a prosperous urban center until the Arab conquest in the 7th century CE. Today, thanks to the efforts of archaeologists from the University of Warsaw, its remains are emerging once more, offering a window into the Hellenistic and Roman worlds.

During excavations carried out in June 2024, researchers unearthed a section of an urban residence belonging to a high-ranking dignitary. This discovery includes a central peristyle surrounded by functional rooms, such as a kitchen, a staircase leading to the upper floor, and a room adorned with mosaics. The latter detail stands out due to the multiple repairs it underwent, reflecting the longevity and importance of the property.

One of the most fascinating features of this residence is its advanced system for collecting drinking water. The peristyle’s impluvium captured rainwater, which was subsequently stored in two underground cisterns. However, the residence was not spared from tragedy; earthquakes that struck Cyrenaica in the 3rd century CE caused severe damage.

Mask Ptolemais Libya
Ruins of the ancient city of Ptolemais in Libya. Credit: Libyan Studies / Wikimedia Commons

Despite this, it was rebuilt during the Late Roman period, adapting to new functional and social needs, as evidenced by the stone containers likely used to store taxes or tributes in kind.

Among the most intriguing finds is a mysterious mask modeled in hydraulic mortar, embedded in the walls of one of the cisterns. The lack of specific attributes and its uniqueness in the archaeological context raise various hypotheses. Some suggest a connection to local Libyan traditions, such as the carved faces in the Slonta sanctuary south of Cyrene.

This connection could indicate that the residence’s owner, or at least those involved in the mask’s creation, had Libyan roots. Although these ideas remain speculative, they reflect the multicultural richness of Ptolemais.

Mask Ptolemais Libya
Archaeologists from the University of Warsaw working at Ptolemais. Credit: Piotr Jaworski / University of Warsaw

In December 2024, archaeologists resumed the exploration of the acropolis, a strategic area situated 285 meters above sea level. This enclave, bounded by robust walls and defensive towers, stands out not only for its military function but also for hosting a sophisticated water supply system consisting of cisterns and wells. Additionally, structures such as a theater on the northern slope and a hippodrome at its base reveal its multifunctional character.

Current research aims to better understand the architectural structures identified through non-invasive techniques, such as 3D models and orthophotographic maps. These tools have revealed signs of buildings that might have served residential, defensive, or religious purposes. This project promises to shed light on urban planning and life in the acropolis, an area that until now has been barely explored.

Archaeological studies in Ptolemais, initiated in 2001 by Professor Tomasz Mikocki, were interrupted by the Libyan civil war in 2010. It was not until 2023 that investigations could resume, marking a new stage in understanding this fascinating city. Thanks to the use of modern technologies and international collaboration, Ptolemais is re-emerging as a testament to the resilience and creativity of ancient civilizations.



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