Excavations at Tunisia’s Althiburos Reveal Roman Theatre’s Transformation into Housing During Aghlabid and Fatimid Eras

A joint Tunisian-Italian archaeological mission documents seating structures, the stage, architectural decorations, and Islamic-era residential remains at the ancient theatre in Kef Governorate, revealing successive phases of reuse.

Recent archaeological excavations at the Roman theatre of Al-Mdaina, historically known as Althiburos, in the Dahmani district of Tunisia’s Kef Governorate, have uncovered remains of residential structures dating back to the Aghlabid and Fatimid periods.

The discoveries provide new insights into the architectural transformations of the ancient site after the theatre ceased functioning as a venue for public performances.

The excavations took place from October 11 to 22, 2026, under the supervision of Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs, as part of a cooperation agreement between the National Heritage Institute (INP) and Italy’s University of Palermo. The joint archaeological mission brought together researchers, heritage conservators, and archaeology students from Tunisia and Italy.

The residential remains provide physical evidence that parts of the Roman theatre were repurposed during historical periods following Roman rule. Areas originally designed for performances and public gatherings were subsequently adapted for settlement and residential construction, reflecting changing patterns of human occupation.

These findings are particularly significant from an architectural perspective, as they help researchers understand how successive communities adapted existing structures and reused architectural elements and building materials to meet different needs.

Fieldwork enabled archaeologists to identify more precise details of the theatre’s seating arrangement and stage location, while also documenting architectural decorations preserved in their original positions.

Other decorative and structural elements were found to have been reused in walls and floors constructed during later phases of occupation.

The research team employed archaeological stratigraphy and chronological analysis to distinguish between different historical periods and establish connections between the original Roman structures and subsequent architectural additions.

According to Tunisia’s National Heritage Institute, the excavations are distinguished by their detailed scientific approach to examining the fate of Roman theatres during later historical periods.

This aspect of archaeological research has received comparatively limited documentation at many ancient theatre sites across North Africa.

The excavation results contribute new information to the architectural and archaeological record of ancient Althiburos. They also provide a scientific foundation that could support future conservation, preservation, and heritage interpretation initiatives.

However, the authorities have not announced any new investment project or dedicated funding for tourism development at the site as part of the excavation findings.

The Althiburos discoveries demonstrate that understanding historic buildings requires more than studying their original architectural design. It also involves examining how their functions, materials, and structures evolved across successive civilizations.

A theatre originally constructed for public performances was later transformed into an area containing residential buildings, making these overlapping architectural layers an essential part of the site's historical significance.

For cultural tourism, such discoveries offer an opportunity to present Althiburos as a place where visitors can explore the continuity of human settlement and the changing uses of architectural heritage.

The findings also highlight the importance of conducting archaeological research before restoring historic monuments, ensuring that conservation work does not inadvertently remove architectural evidence from later periods that holds its own scientific and historical value.