Nomad Creed

23/10/2025

The world's first GAROUM sauce production basin, NEAPOLIS CITY
The Neapolis site, which was partially submerged, was a major center for garum-making, with over 100 production tanks discovered.
These production basins (cetariae or fermentation tanks) were typically large, square or rectangular vats, often lined with waterproof opus signinum (a type of Roman concrete), where fish parts, blood, and salt were left to ferment in the sun for months. Due to the malodorous nature of the production, these factories were usually located on the outskirts of cities or in industrial coastal areas.

23/10/2025

21/10/2025

site Neapolis archaeological ruin

Certainly. Here is the history of the Neapolis archaeological site near Nabeul, Tunisia, in English.

🏛️ History of the Neapolis Archaeological Site (Nabeul)
The site is correctly spelled Neapolis, which means "New City" in Greek. Neapolis is one of the oldest cities on the Cap Bon peninsula.

⏳ Punic (Carthaginian) Period
Early Mention: Written sources first mention Neapolis towards the end of the 5th century BC.

Trading Post: In 413 BC, the Greek historian Thucydides described Neapolis as an empòrion Karkedonikòn (Carthaginian trading post), confirming its significance during the Punic era.

Destruction: The city was destroyed by Lucius Calpurnius Piso in 148 BC.

🌊 Catastrophic End
The Tsunami (AD 365): On July 21, 365 AD, a massive tsunami, triggered by the Crete earthquake, hit the city. This natural disaster caused widespread destruction and permanently submerged a large part of the city, including its port and extensive fish-salting factories, which are now being discovered underwater.

Late Antiquity: Despite the catastrophe, the city continued to function and was the seat of an ancient Christian bishopric until the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb in the 7th century.

🏺 Archaeological Discoveries
The archaeological site of Neapolis, located about two kilometers from modern downtown Nabeul, is known for:

Garum Factories: Extensive remains of the industrial fish-processing factory, featuring large, 2-meter deep vats used for making garum.

The House of the Nymphs (Nymfarum Domus): A large, sumptuous Roman residence known for its well-preserved and colorful mosaics which depict scenes from Greek mythology and a central basin with a mosaic of the god Oceanus. Many of these beautiful mosaics are now housed in the Nabeul Archaeological Museum.

The modern city of Nabeul owes its name to the Arabic transliteration of Neapolis and was built near the ancient ruins, which were often used as a quarry for building materials in later centuries.

21/10/2025

🌊 Catastrophic End
The Tsunami (AD 365): On July 21, 365 AD, a massive tsunami, triggered by the Crete earthquake, hit the city. This natural disaster caused widespread destruction and permanently submerged a large part of the city, including its port and extensive fish-salting factories, which are now being discovered underwater.

Late Antiquity: Despite the catastrophe, the city continued to function and was the seat of an ancient Christian bishopric until the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb in the 7th century.

🏺 Archaeological Discoveries
The archaeological site of Neapolis, located about two kilometers from modern downtown Nabeul, is known for:

Garum Factories: Extensive remains of the industrial fish-processing factory, featuring large, 2-meter deep vats used for making garum.

The House of the Nymphs (Nymfarum Domus): A large, sumptuous Roman residence known for its well-preserved and colorful mosaics which depict scenes from Greek mythology and a central basin with a mosaic of the god Oceanus. Many of these beautiful mosaics are now housed in the Nabeul Archaeological Museum.

The modern city of Nabeul owes its name to the Arabic transliteration of Neapolis and was built near the ancient ruins, which were often used as a quarry for building materials in later centuries.

Would you like to know more about a specific period of Neapolis' history, such as its garum production or the underwater discovery of the sunken city?

21/10/2025

⚔️ Roman Era and Economic Power
Destruction and Rebirth: Neapolis sided with Carthage during the Third Punic War and was punished and destroyed by the Roman army in 148 BC.

Roman Colony: The city was later re-established as a Roman town and, for supporting Julius Caesar during the civil war in Africa, was elevated to the rank of a Julian colony, Colonia Iulia Neapolis, under Caesar or Augustus.

Main Industry: Garum: During the Roman period, Neapolis enjoyed great economic prosperity, primarily due to the industrial-scale production of garum. Garum was a highly prized, fermented fish sauce (a spicy condiment made from fish guts and sold in amphorae), and Neapolis is considered one of the largest centers for its manufacture in the Roman world.