Two seasons of excavation (1996 and 1997) have been completed at the "subterranean rotunda" southeast of the Basilica Damous-el-Karita on the outskirts of ancient Carthage (Blg. 1/15, 16; Blg. 3; Abb. 1). 'Me purpose of the present study was re-evaluate the structures, construction period, finiction and wider significance of what was undoubtedly one of the most important Christian pilgrimage complexes in Norther Africa. The rectangular structure, which connected the basilica to the rotunda and has been seen as a porticus-fi-amed court turned out to be a three-aisled, basilica-Eke hall without an apse. The date of construction could be put at late fourth/early fifth century AD. Subsequently the structurre had been substantially rebuilt in two phases, firstly sometime between 530/565 AD and secondly at the end of the 6th to the beginning of the 7th century AD. |