Tunisia's Ancient Olive Oil Production: A Roman Legacy
Today, Tunisia is one of the world's largest producers of olive oil. This is no coincidence, as the country's olive oil vocation dates back to ancient times, specifically to the period when part of North Africa was a Roman province, from 146 BC to the end of the 5th century AD.
A recent article in GEO magazine details the discovery of Italian archaeologists from the University of Ca'Foscari in Venice, who unearthed a remarkably complex olive oil production site in an agricultural area of the Djebel Semmama massif. This finding confirms the central role of Roman Tunisia in the Mediterranean basin's olive oil trade.
The Discovery
The site, excavated by researchers, consists of two monumental rooms housing a complete set of production facilities, demonstrating the perfect mastery and know-how of Roman African farmers. These farmers had gradually learned the different stages of olive oil production, from fruit harvesting to final extraction, including grinding and decanting.
The archaeologists identified several lever presses, as well as large-capacity basins and vats for grinding olives and extracting oil, allowing for the production of very large quantities of olive oil. This oil was not only intended for the local market but also supplied the production and distribution circuits of Roman oil throughout the Mediterranean region, making the North African province one of the largest granaries of the Empire.
The Saltus Beguensis Huilerie
The impressive size of this oil mill, called Saltus Beguensis and now known as Henchir el Begar, which belonged to a Roman notable, testifies to the economic power and commercial position that Roman Tunisia already occupied in the Mediterranean basin.
Insights into Roman Tunisia's Agro-Economic System
The discovery of this site and the information collected by the team of archaeologists on its operation have provided interesting insights into the complexity and ingenuity of the agro-economic system of Roman Tunisia, as well as its perfect mastery of commercial circuits. The findings also highlight the crucial place occupied by olive oil in the life of the community.
The excavation of the Saltus Beguensis huilerie has shed new light on the ancient roots of Tunisia's olive oil production, confirming the country's long-standing tradition of excellence in this field. Today, Tunisia's olive oil industry continues to thrive, with the country ranking among the world's top producers.
