The Forgotten Castles of the Garamantes

8 hours ago

The Garamantes were an ancient Berber civilization in Libya's Fezzan region, flourishing from 900 BCE to 700 CE.
They built fortified towns, castles, and pyramids using advanced underground water channels called foggaras to sustain life in the Sahara.
Key sites include Garama (Germa), Gauat, Qasr Al-Manashi, Qasr Tamerah, Qasr Mara, and Sharba, showcasing urban planning and resilience.
Despite being labeled barbarians by Romans, they were key traders connecting Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa.
Their decline began around 700 CE due to depleted fossil water and disrupted trade after Rome's fall.
Satellite imagery recently revealed their extensive civilization, now at risk from erosion, looting, and development.

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