Thyna

From Sfax GP 1, the Gabès road runs southwest, passing an Allied military cemetery and a phosphate processing plant. In 11km/7mi it comes to the site of ancient Thaenae, lying to the east of the road, near the prominent lighthouse of Thyna. This was the most southeasterly outpost of Carthaginian territory. Immediately south of the town began the Fossa Regia, constructed by the Romans in 146 B.C. to mark the frontier between the Roman province and the kingdom of Numidia, which ran north- west from here to Thabraca (Tabarka). In the reign of Hadrian (A.D. 117-138) the town was granted the status of colonia. Excavation has revealed the remains of various buildings of the fourth and fifth centuries, including baths (with mosaics), dwelling-houses and a Christian church. To the east of the site is a necropolis centered on an octagonal mausoleum. To the north can be seen extensive salt-pans, frequented by large numbers of migrant birds in winter and spring. Information from the ONTT office in Sfax.