Archaeoseismology in Algeria: Observed damages related to probable past earthquakes on archaeological remains on roman sites (Tel Atlas of Algeria)

Abstract

For the period before 1365, the catalogue of historical earthquakes in Algeria remains sparse. A number of earthquakes have been identified in archived documents, and yet others can be inferred from their damage to archaeological structures. In this study, we focus on the Roman period (BC 146–429), the Vandal and Byzantine period (AD 429–533) in the region of the seismically active Tell Atlas. The Tell Atlas of Algeria retains numerous archaeological records of former earthquakes. At the Roman sites of Lambaesis (Lambèse), Thamugadi (Timgad) Thibilis (Salaoua Announa) or Thevest (Tebessa), we interpret damage to monuments as having been caused by strong shaking, ground subsidence, and landslides effects. In this study, we aim at contributing towards archaeoseismology in Algeria by presenting examples of observed damage and disorders on several Roman sites.