Chemtou

Chemtou, located in northwestern Tunisia, was a significant ancient Roman-Berber settlement known as Simitthu. Founded in the 4th to 5th century BCE as a colony of the Numidian kingdom, it flourished under Roman rule as a prominent town with a bishopric status. The site is notable for its extensive quarries that produced the prized 'marmor numidicum' or antique yellow marble, widely used across the Roman Empire. Archaeological evidence reveals a well-planned urban layout with public buildings like temples, an amphitheater, and a sophisticated water management system including aqueducts and cisterns. Chemtou also featured unique Numidian and Roman religious structures. Its strategic location at the crossroads of major Roman roads highlights its importance in trade and transport in antiquity. The site was eventually abandoned around the 9th to 10th century CE.