Archaeologists working in the Kasserine region of central Tunisia have uncovered one of the most impressive industrial sites of the Roman Empire: the second-largest olive oil mill ever found from ancient Rome.
The discovery is part of an international project led by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, together with teams from Tunisia and Spain.
The excavation focuses on the ancient Roman settlement of Cillium near the Algerian border, an area once known for its thriving agriculture and trade.
The region is located within the Jebel Semmama mountains, a landscape shaped by high plains, cold winters, hot summers and limited rainfall.
These conditions were ideal for growing olive trees, which played a crucial role in the economy of Roman North Africa. In fact, Tunisia was one of the main suppliers of olive oil to Rome.
This border zone, once inhabited by Indigenous Numidian communities called the Musulamii, became a place where Roman officials, veterans and local people met, traded and lived together.
Archaeologists have found that many of the structures here were active between the 3rd and 6th centuries AD.
One of the most important sites being studied is Henchir el Begar, identified as the ancient Saltus Beguensis. In the 2nd century AD, it was part of a large rural estate owned by Lucillius Africanus, a high-ranking Roman official.
A famous Latin inscription found at the site records a decision from the Roman Senate in 138 AD approving a market held every two months, showing how important the area was for trade and community life.
The settlement covers about 33 hectares and is divided into two main zones, called Hr Begar 1 and Hr Begar 2.
Both areas include olive presses, cisterns and a large water basin. Hr Begar 1 contains the most remarkable discovery: the largest Roman olive oil mill in Tunisia, equipped with twelve huge beam presses.
Hr Begar 2 contains another mill with eight presses. Their size and number show just how significant olive oil production was in this region. The remains also include a rural village where farmers and local residents likely lived, along with stone millstones suggesting that the estate produced both olive oil and grain.
Recent ground-penetrating radar surveys have revealed a dense network of houses, roads and work spaces beneath the surface, showing that this was a highly organized rural settlement. The project—launched in 2023 and expanded in 2025—brings together experts from Tunisia, Spain and Italy and highlights the growing interest in studying how ancient societies produced essential goods, such as oil.
Archaeologists have also uncovered smaller finds from later periods, including the Byzantine era and modern times. These include a decorated copper and brass bracelet, a limestone projectile and fragments of Roman architectural elements reused in later buildings.
According to Professor Luigi Sperti of Ca’ Foscari, the mission offers a rare look at how agriculture, trade and daily life were organized in Roman Africa. Olive oil was deeply woven into Roman life—not only for cooking, but also for bathing, sports, medicine and even lighting lamps.
Understanding how such a vital product was made and distributed helps connect ancient economic systems with modern Mediterranean culture, reminding us of the long-lasting importance of olive oil in this region of the world.
Source: KSR.
