Nowadays part of the town of Nabeul’s urban
fabric, in the tourist area, the ancient site
of Neapolis was discovered by chance in 1965 during
terracing work. Salvage excavations led to the
discovery of a unique complex: a proper industrial
installation dating to Roman times for the production
of garum and salting of fish. These are unquestionably
the remains of a factory producing this condiment
that was so popular with the Romans on a large
scale, no doubt exporting a large part to other
Mediterranean countries where the Romans had spread
its use. The complex consists of large basins
where the fish guts and small fry were placed
to macerate to produce a sauce resembling the
Asian nuoc mam. One can see the remains of rows
of fish, dried in this case, to preserve them
over a long period of time.
Not far, on the same site, a residential quarter
has been partially excavated along an outstanding
paved road, revealing vestiges of luxurious villas,
most paved with superb mosaics, some of which
are conserved in situ, and others are exhibited
in the Nabeul museum. |