Ein Targhuna

Ein Targhuna, also known as Gasr Targhuna or Hirbet al-Yahud, is an archaeological site in Libya believed to have been a Jewish military settlement during the Roman period. The site is strategically located on the plateau of ancient Cyrenaica, approximately 27 kilometers from Cyrene, and was once traversed by a major Roman road. Notable features include rock-cut Jewish tombs, a menorah representation, and a Roman cippus marking land restoration by an imperial legate. Its name suggests a connection to the Greek 'Trachon,' a rocky region where Herod the Great settled Jewish horse-archers in 7 BCE. This Jewish presence is further supported by local tradition and archaeological finds. The site's strategic frontier location highlights its significance in Roman military and Jewish diaspora history.