Excavations in Tunisia have revealed the second-largest olive oil mill from the Roman Empire. This significant discovery was made by a team from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, which is co-directing an international archaeological mission in the Kasserine region. The focus of the excavation is on ancient Cillium, situated near the present-day border with Algeria, where researchers have uncovered structures linked to oil production, including two impressive torcularia, or olive pressing facilities.
The archaeological campaign, led by Prof. Luigi Sperti, deputy director of the Department of Humanities at Ca’ Foscari, began in 2025. The team is investigating two ancient olive farms located in the Jebel Semmama massif, an area characterized by its high steppes and continental climate, providing ideal conditions for olive cultivation. This region played a crucial role in the economy of Roman Africa, as Tunisia was a primary supplier of olive oil to Rome.
Significant Findings at Henchir el Begar
One of the key sites under investigation is Henchir el Begar, identified as the ancient Saltus Beguensis. This site was part of a large rural estate owned by the prominent figure Lucillius Africanus during the 2nd century AD. The site is notable for a Latin inscription that details a senate consultation from 138 AD, which authorized the establishment of a bimonthly market—an event of considerable significance for social and economic life at the time.
Henchir el Begar spans approximately 33 hectares and is divided into two sectors, Hr Begar 1 and Hr Begar 2. Hr Begar 1 is home to the largest Roman oil mill in Tunisia and ranks as the second-largest in the Roman Empire. This site features a monumental torcularium equipped with twelve beam presses, while Hr Begar 2 houses an additional eight presses. The continuous operation of these structures from the 3rd to the 6th centuries AD indicates a sustained period of olive oil production.
The excavation also revealed a rural vicus, suggesting that colonists and possibly members of the local population lived in the vicinity. Numerous millstones and evidence of mixed agricultural production indicate that the site served a dual purpose, producing both cereals and oil.
International Collaboration Enhances Archaeological Research
The archaeological mission is the result of a successful international collaboration that began in 2023, led by Prof. Samira Sehili from Université La Manouba in Tunisia and Prof. Fabiola Salcedo Garcés from Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain. Since 2025, Prof. Sperti has co-directed the project, receiving institutional recognition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. This partnership fosters scientific collaboration and opens new avenues for joint research involving Tunisia, Spain, and Italy, particularly in the archaeology of production.
Among the valuable finds at the site are artifacts dating from the modern age to the Byzantine era, including a decorated copper and brass bracelet, a white limestone projectile, and architectural fragments. Notably, a portion of a Roman press was repurposed in a Byzantine wall, highlighting the continuity of the site’s significance through the ages.
“This mission offers an unprecedented insight into the agricultural and socio-economic organization of the frontier regions of Roman Africa,” remarks Prof. Sperti. “Olive oil was integral to the daily life of ancient Romans, used not just in cooking but also for body care, sports, medicine, and as a fuel source. The opportunity to explore the scale of production, marketing, and transportation of olive oil is exceptional, reinforcing the importance of archaeology as a field of excellence at our university.”
The findings at Henchir el Begar not only enhance our understanding of Roman agricultural practices but also underscore the broader implications of trade and cultural exchange in ancient Mediterranean societies.
