Garamantian Finds in the Sahara

Mud-brick Garamantian Compound
Photo: Toby Savage

I’m quite excited about a recent article I read on the National Geographic website about some recent finds in the Libyan Sahara, approximately 620 miles south of Tripoli. It seems that archaeologists have found extensive remains of Garamantian settlements including very well preserved mud-brick fortresses. And now, satellite photos are giving us an aerial perspective.

The finds are important because they will shed some much needed light on this mysterious civilization that harried the southern reaches of the Roman Empire for many years. My own experience with this subject is not extensive but the Garamatians do make an appearance in Children of Apollo as one of the leading tribes involved in the fictional assault on the legionary base at Lambaesis in Numidia. From my research into the goings on at the beginning of the 3rd century, I found out that the Garamantians and other desert peoples of the time were involved in a series of raids that caused a bit of unrest in the far southern Empire.

Satellite Image of Garamantian settlement
Photo: University of Leicester

Just goes to show how little details found in the midst of research can add a bit of fuel to the creative fires. Finding out more about this briefly mentioned civilization is an added bonus.

If you would like to read the full article the full link is: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/11/111111-sahara-libya-lost-civilization-science-satellites/