University of Macerata launches five-year archaeological project in Libya

The University of Macerata is returning to Cyrenaica, Libya, for a new five-year archaeological research project focused on the ancient territory of Cyrene. An agreement was signed in Tripoli between the university, represented by Professor Emanuela Stortoni, and the Libyan Department of Antiquities (DoA), represented by President Mohamed Faraj Mohamed al-Faloos.

The project aims to study the ancient landscape and document areas that remain poorly recorded, including Gasr Battah, Siret el-Bab, the Snibat el-Awila and Balagrae necropolises, and the Siret el-Giamel complex. Researchers will use a multidisciplinary approach involving GPS surveys, satellite imagery, drone footage, photogrammetry, and GIS systems.

By mapping archaeological evidence across the southern, eastern, and western sectors of the Cyrenaic chora, the team seeks to reconstruct the relationships between ancient settlements, necropolises, and road networks. The initiative also aims to monitor the conservation status of heritage sites spanning the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras.