Chemtou - Work Camp

The work camp at Chemtou was identified in 1961 in air photographs taken after a period of heavy rain. Built in A.D. 154 at some distance from the town, it covered an area of some 4 hectares/10 acres (of which about a fifth has been excavated) and was enclosed, like a prison, by high walls. Round a series of large courtyards were laid out the living quarters, workshops, offices and stores, together with baths and temples for both workers and officials of the huge quarries. The camps accommodated large numbers of slaves and workers condemned to forced labor in the quarries (ad metalla), including many Christians.