LARISCUS
(Skhira) Tunisia.
Revealed in
1958 when a petroleum port was being built at the outlet
of the Edjélé pipeline, the site is situated slightly W of the
Cap de Skhira Kedima, 45 km from Maharès, in the Gulf
of Gabès. The site has been identified as Lariscus, where
Troglita and Antalas fought in 548.
Explored and partially excavated in 1958 and 1959
along the pipeline, it was found to contain several pagan
and Christian necropoleis and two basilicas. The larger
of these latter stands on the edge of the site surrounded
by other as yet unexplored remains. Built of materials of
mediocre quality (unbaked bricks covered with coats of
paint), it is nevertheless interesting because of its architecture and mosaic floors. Oriented SW-NE, the monument had five naves formed by four rows of nine columns and a quadratum populi (25 x 20.5 m) with a W
apse (3.5 m x 4.7 m), and a facade fronted by a portico
3 m wide with two trefoil-shaped columns in front of the
opening to the central nave. It had a wood and tile roof.
The building underwent a number of changes, the chief
one being the construction of a counter-apse in place of
the first entrance (3.5 m deep and 5.4 m in diameter),
and the addition of the mosaic floor. A mosaic in the
apse shows a large chalice, with two symmetrical scrolls
of vine leaves curling out of it. The panels of a raised
platform beside the altar are decorated with medallions
of deer and lambs.
Four m behind the apse and joined to the church by
a vestibule is a baptistery. Its hall (11 x 9 m) consists of
a double row of six columns supporting three naves. The
basin, which is shaped like a Greek cross in an octagon
inside a square, was surmounted by a cupola supported
on four pillars. The floor of this room was paved with
mosaic. Its panels, of various sizes and shapes, were decorated with geometric motifs except for the four panels
opposite the entrance, which had a design of deer and
jeweled Latin crosses.
Another, smaller basilica has also been excavated.
Oriented N-E and measuring 20 x 11.35 m, it had three
eight-bayed naves, a central apse, and a facade to the
SE. Several tombs have been found inside and around
this monument.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
M. Fendri,
Basiliques chrétiennes de la
Skhira (1961) (Publication de l'Université de Tunis,
VIII).
A. ENNABLI
