Chemtou - Hilltop Sanctuary

The hilltop sanctuary of the second century B.C. on the summit of Djebel Chemtou (85m/280ft) was dedicated to the Punic god Baal-Ammon. There are only scanty remains of the monumental marble altar, a two-storied structure over 10m/33ft high; the base, measuring 12.15m/40ft by 5.64m/18.5ft, survives. Handsome architectural elements from the sanctuary, which was richly decorated, were found during the excavations and can now be seen in the museum. They include marble blocks with relief decoration, 1.20m/4ft high, from the base of the building and a 1.9m/6.25ft long architrave from a false door, with Egyptian-style decoration (a band of lotus-flower decoration surmounted by a solar disc with stylized rays which is flanked by two crowned uraeuses). In the second century A.D. the Romans enlarged the sanctuary and converted it into a temple of Saturn. In the fourth century it was replaced by a small three-aisled church, which was later embellished with pavement mosaics. It is planned to re-erect the sanctuary, with casts of the original features.

View

From the hill there is a view of the work camp to the north.