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THUBURBO MAJUS
Temple of Mercury and Market
The tiny Temple of Mercury, from 118 CE, deviates obviously from the Roman plan for a temple. It is also one of few monumental buildings from before Thuburbo Majus became a municipality, probably reflecting the lasting impact of Punic culture here even after the Romans settled it 90 years earlier.
Eight columns formed a circle, an arrangement with African origins. Some of these still stand.
Little important can be said about the market (lower photo), it looks just like anywhere else in a Roman town, with its rectangular stalls. It was however quite small, only 19 times 19 metres. An octagonal slab lies in its middle, looking like something of a sundial.
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